COVID-19 TRAVEL AND LEAVE POLICY (ALCOAST 084/20)

14 MAR 2020 FM:  CHDIRAUX TO:  ALAUX ALAUX 002/20 Subj:  COVID-19 TRAVEL AND LEAVE POLICY (ALCOAST 084/20) Ref:  ALCOAST 084/20 1.  The following ALCOAST message was recently issued to provide updated  foreign/domestic travel and leave guidance for Coast Guard personnel in light  of COVID-19 concerns. Although its references are not accessible through normal internet access, its provisions are applicable. Paragraphs 2.b.2, 3.b.2, and 5.f  specifically include Auxiliary interests. Additional guidance regarding Auxiliary  C-schools will be issued through the Chief Director's office (CG-BSX-1). R 140021 MAR 20 FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-1// TO ALCOAST UNCLAS//N06200// ALCOAST 084/20 COMDTNOTE 6200 SUBJ:  COVID-19 TRAVEL AND LEAVE POLICY A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 061306 MAR 20/ALCOAST 071/20  B. DHS Deputy Under Secretary for Management Memorandum 2 March 2020 C. Novel Coronavirus Planning Order v.3 March 2020 D. DOD Foreign Clearance Guide 1. This ALCOAST provides Coast Guard (CG) members with updated travel and  leave policy guidance as it relates to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)  and supersedes REF (A) regarding leave and travel only. 2. Foreign Travel. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is issuing Travel Health Notices (THNs) for locations affected by COVID-19. A list of THNs can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/ a. Official Foreign Travel. IAW REF (B), CG official travel to locations for which the CDC has issued a Level 3 or Level 2 THN is restricted to only mission essential,  time-sensitive work that cannot be handled via distance or remote means. For any foreign travel, Commanding Officers/Commanders should assess the risk to  mission using the Risk Assessment Tool located in Enclosure (1) of REF (C).  Personnel who are permanently stationed in a foreign country shall follow the  guidance of the cognizant Department of Defense/Combatant Command (DOD/ CCMD) or Department of State (DOS) Chief of Mission (COM), as applicable. b. Leave/Leisure Travel. (1) Military Personnel including Reservists on Active Duty. Leave travel to or through foreign countries or territories affected by a Level 3 or Level 2 THN is  prohibited, to include leave that was previously approved. In extenuating  circumstances, members may request a waiver, with final approval authority at the  first Flag Officer/SES in their chain of command. For personnel stationed overseas,  and within a location for which the CDC has issued a COVID-19 THN, follow the  guidance of the cognizant DOD/CCMD or DOS/COM, as applicable. (2) Civilian Personnel/Dependents/Auxiliarists/Non-Appropriate Funded Personnel.  Leave or leisure travel to or through foreign countries or territories affected by  Level 3 or Level 2 THN is highly discouraged. Consult the CDC and DOS travel  advisory websites prior to making any decision. (3) Reservists not on orders are highly discouraged from traveling to or through foreign countries or territories affected by Level 3 or Level 2 THN. c. Requirements. Commands and personnel are reminded to strictly adhere to the requirements of REF (D) in requesting and approving any foreign travel. d. Contractors. Contract personnel that have travelled to, or plan to travel to or through foreign countries or territories affected by Level 3 or Level 2 THN are  required to notify their Contracting Officer’s Representative.           3. Domestic Travel. For domestic travel consideration, members  must be aware of areas experiencing "sustained community  transmissions" when making travel decisions.   The best way to access that information at this time is through the state, local,  tribal, or territorial public health authorities; in conjunction with contacting your  local USCG senior medical executive.  In addition, we are looking for ways to  provide greater clarity on "sustained community transmissions" which will be  provided in a future update. a. Official Travel. (1) Official travel within the U.S., including territories, to areas experiencing sustained community transmission of COVID-19 should only be performed if it  is mission-essential, time-sensitive work that cannot be handled via distance or  remote means. At this time, all scheduled CONUS training opportunities designed  to provide advanced skills and knowledge to perform a task required by a specific  job is considered mission-essential for purposes of traveling domestically.  Currently all CG “A” schools are fully operating. “A” and “C” School Training  and Travel Guidance will be sent by FORCECOM via ALCOAST. All “C” school convening questions should be directed to ETQC https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/forcecom/ETQC/TrainingPage/ SitePages/Home.aspx. (2) Official domestic travel to areas not experiencing sustained community  transmission is authorized. (3) SELRES and IRR members will continue to report for ADT and IDT as  directed by cognizant authority. However, Commands are encouraged to provide  maximum flexibility to their Reserve members, while balancing operational  readiness with exposure risk, especially those Reservists who travel from outside  of the reasonable commuting distance to their units in order to minimize exposure and maximize readiness if activation is required. b. Leave/Leisure Travel. (1) Military Personnel, including Reservists on Active Duty. Leave travel within  the U.S., including territories, to areas experiencing sustained community  transmission is prohibited, including leave that was previously approved. In  extenuating circumstances, members may request a waiver, with approval authority  at the first Flag Officer/SES in their chain of command. (2) Civilian Personnel/Dependents/Auxiliarists/Contractors/Non-Appropriate  Funded Personnel. Leave travel within the U.S., including territories, to areas  experiencing sustained community transmission is highly discouraged. (3) Reserve members not on orders are highly discouraged from traveling  within the U.S., including territories, traveling to areas experiencing  sustained community transmission. c. Contractors. Contract personnel that have travelled to, or plan to a travel, within  the U.S., including territories, to areas experiencing sustained community  transmission are required to notify their Contracting Officer’s Representative. d. State, local, tribal, and territorial health officials determine if a location is  considered an area of “sustained community transmission” for COVID-19.  Operational commanders are to consult with their Senior Medical Executive or the CG’s designated  Public Health Emergency Officer, CAPT Shane Steiner (CG-1121), if they have  questions about the status of a particular locale. The CG is looking at ways to consolidate a list of areas that qualify as “sustained community transmission.”               4. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Travel. The CG, along with the other  Services are weighing the risks and consequences of continuing to PCS members  both internationally and domestically. Further guidance will be provided as soon  as possible.  5. Returning from foreign travel. IAW REF (B), CG personnel, including  personnel detailed to the CG, returning to the U.S. from any country or territory,  or who traveled through any county or territory (including transportation hubs),  that the CDC has issued a Level 3 THN shall not return to a CG workspace until  14 days have passed since leaving that location.  This also applies to CG personnel who live with someone who is subject to self- monitoring due to travel or exposure history. In any case, CG personnel who are  advised during airport screening to self-monitor shall not return to their CG  workspace and shall consult with their supervisor. a. CG civilian employees who fall under this policy and are returning from official  travel, and are not able to telework, may be granted Weather and Safety Leave  during this period. b. CG military and civilian employees who fall under this policy and are returning  from leave or leisure travel, from or through a location under a Level 3 THN, are  expected to telework or take personal leave if they are subject to quarantine or self-monitoring. c. CG military and civilian employees will practice social distancing by remaining  6-feet way from people outside of the home, not traveling ,not visiting public/ crowded areas, not using public transportation, and avoiding interaction with pets  and other animals. d. CG military and civilian employees who reside in CG owned housing, who fall  under this policy, are to remain in their home or quarters, per CDC government- wide guidelines and 5 U.S.C. 7106 (a)(2)(D). During the 14-day interval CG  military personnel are subject to a Restriction Of Movement (ROM) and: (1) Will be assessed daily for fever and symptoms by cognizant CG medical staff  via phone consultation, coordinated through the nearest CG clinic. Members will  not come into clinics. (2) Will self-monitor for the onset of fever, cough, and/or trouble breathing. If  these symptoms develop, CG military personnel are to contact their unit leadership  and the cognizant CG medical staff by phone for further direction. Members who  are experiencing a medical emergency should always contact a medical authority first (e.g., 911). (3) Will separate themselves from other people in the home/quarters if residing  with roommates/family members and avoid sharing personal items. (4) Separate lodging will be coordinated by the cognizant chain of command to  span the 14-day ROM. For individuals that live in Unaccompanied Personnel  Housing (UPH), open bay settings, or CG provided rooms with shared bathrooms  and/or kitchen facilities, or aboard a vessel (e.g., those who do not live in  individual hotel-style rooms/apartments, or individual housing). The CG senior  medical executive is available to advise in these scenarios. e. Dependents of CG personnel and guests. Members whose dependents reside in  CG owned housing must notify the local housing officer/authority if their  dependents or guests return from a location that the CDC has issued a Level 3  THN. f. Auxiliary. Auxiliary members returning from personal travel from or through a  location that the CDC has issued a Level 3 THN are prohibited from participating  in CG activities or visiting CG units during a period of 14-days following the  return from travel. Auxiliary members are authorized to participate in CG activities  and visit CG units after 14 days, only if symptom free. 6. The CG maintains a website with authoritative documents, frequently asked  questions, and a link to submit your questions.  This site is updated continuously  and should be referenced first, and often https://www.uscg.mil/Coronavirus/. 7. RADM J. M. Nunan, Assistant Commandant for Human Resources (CG-1),  sends. 8. Internet release is authorized. ***For many reasons including the value of keeping communication  lines clear and open as well as facilitating access to training and  educational tools, all Auxiliarists are urged to have their own email  address and to keep  it updated in AUXDATA.*** If you have a question regarding this ALAUX, please seek resolution within your Chain of  Leadership and Management (COLM) including up to your servicing District Director of  Auxiliary (DIRAUX). If your question still cannot be resolved after that, then please email CGAUX@uscg.mil.    Questions for the Coast Guard?   Contact Us For more Coast Guard news, visit our online newsroom here. STAY CONNECTED: