News Opinons Politics

DOD Bans All Domestic Travel For Personnel and Families Amid Coronavirus Crisis

Pentagon officials late Friday announced a total domestic travel ban for all troops, civilian personnel and their families until May 11 in an effort to limit their potential exposure to the coronavirus.

In addition, troops will be granted “only authorized local leave” for the duration of the travel restrictions, limiting their ability to visit family and friends in far away states.

“The continuing spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) necessitates immediate implementation of travel restrictions for domestic Department of Defense travel,” the memo announcing the new travel rules stated.


“These restrictions are necessary to preserve force readiness, limit the continuing spread of the virus, and preserve the health and welfare of service members, DOD civilian employees, their families and the local communities where in which we live.”

The travel ban goes into effect Monday, March 16.


‘Ms. Halligan was not a puppet’: DOJ says Trump’s dislike of Comey isn’t grounds to toss case
Legal Expert: Rosie O’Donnell Just Put Herself in Jeopardy of Major Legal Action from Trump
Watch: Scott Jennings Chews up Dems on Genuinely Shocking Call for Military to Disobey Orders – ‘Foment Insurrection in the Ranks of the Military’
Scathing report calls on US to label Islamist group infiltrating all aspects of American life as terrorist org
Republicans feud over ‘Arctic Frost’ accountability measure, but critics offer no clear alternative
Video: Toyota Chairman Goes Hard Core MAGA With Trump-Vance Photos on His Shirt and a Classic Red MAGA Cap
Dem Senator Fires Staffer Accused of Helping a Four-Time Deported Illegal Escape Custody
Chicago repeat offender accused of punching women arrested again after years of violent crimes: report
Mamdani keeps Jessica Tisch as NYPD commissioner
House Republican chairman refers Jack Smith’s former deputy to DOJ for prosecution
Sanctuary states need crackdown as Americans pay price for illegal immigrant truckers: GOP lawmaker
Watch: James Comer Exposes Hakeem Jeffries’ Connection to Epstein on House Floor
Joy Reid Admits the Truth: She’d ‘Freak Out’ if She ‘Saw a Penis’ in the Women’s Locker Room
Redistricting setbacks in court slow GOP map push ahead of 2026
Texas investigating USTA for possible violation of law banning biological males in women’s sports

See also  “Patriot Weekend” and counter protests of inflatable animals at ICE facility in Portland

It comes just days after Pentagon officials announced severe restrictions on overseas travel for all defense employees, uniformed and civilians. The new rules cover Permanent Change of Station moves and Temporary Duty travel.

“All DOD military personnel will stop movement while this memorandum is in effect,” Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist wrote in the announcement.

Exceptions to the travel stoppage will be made for patients and medical providers, as well as their families. Individuals who have already begun travel will be allowed to complete their trips in coming days. Troops approaching retirement or separation are exempt.

But officials warned that those exceptions will “limited in number” and must be approved by senior military leaders, including the combatant commanders and service secretaries.

Defense Department hiring practices will also be impacted. “Until the domestic travel restrictions prescribed above are lifted, DOD components may only onboard civilian employees within the local commuting area.”

Earlier on Friday, President Donald Trump declared the coronavirus outbreak a national emergency, allowing his administration to tap into up to $50 billion in federal resources for public health response efforts.

“I’m urging every state to set up emergency operation centers effective immediately,” he said in his second national address on the issue this week. “I’m also asking every hospital in this country to activate its emergency preparedness plan so that they can meet the needs of Americans everywhere.”

See also  Why the socialist mayor-elect of Seattle didn’t earn the DSA’s endorsement


‘Ms. Halligan was not a puppet’: DOJ says Trump’s dislike of Comey isn’t grounds to toss case
Legal Expert: Rosie O’Donnell Just Put Herself in Jeopardy of Major Legal Action from Trump
Watch: Scott Jennings Chews up Dems on Genuinely Shocking Call for Military to Disobey Orders – ‘Foment Insurrection in the Ranks of the Military’
Scathing report calls on US to label Islamist group infiltrating all aspects of American life as terrorist org
Republicans feud over ‘Arctic Frost’ accountability measure, but critics offer no clear alternative
Video: Toyota Chairman Goes Hard Core MAGA With Trump-Vance Photos on His Shirt and a Classic Red MAGA Cap
Dem Senator Fires Staffer Accused of Helping a Four-Time Deported Illegal Escape Custody
Chicago repeat offender accused of punching women arrested again after years of violent crimes: report
Mamdani keeps Jessica Tisch as NYPD commissioner
House Republican chairman refers Jack Smith’s former deputy to DOJ for prosecution
Sanctuary states need crackdown as Americans pay price for illegal immigrant truckers: GOP lawmaker
Watch: James Comer Exposes Hakeem Jeffries’ Connection to Epstein on House Floor
Joy Reid Admits the Truth: She’d ‘Freak Out’ if She ‘Saw a Penis’ in the Women’s Locker Room
Redistricting setbacks in court slow GOP map push ahead of 2026
Texas investigating USTA for possible violation of law banning biological males in women’s sports

More than 1,600 cases and 40 deaths in America have been attributed to the virus so far. Numerous public schools systems announced in recent days they will shut down for several weeks, and professional sports leagues and major entertainment venues like New York’s Broadway district have stopped all operations for the near future.

See also  Cost of bureaucracy exploded under Biden, report shows

In his memo, Norquist warned that additional preventive measures could be announced in coming days.

Story cited here.

Share this article:
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter