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.


Far-left nonprofits in the hot seat as lawmaker exposes them for ‘sowing chaos’ in US
Turning Point Action endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Senate race
Nancy Guthrie was expected at friend’s home, not church on day she vanished: source
Teen who shared cabin with Anna Kepner faces federal scrutiny in cruise ship death
Appeals court backs Noem move to end TPS protections for Nepal, Honduras, Nicaragua
Watch: ‘Miracle on Ice’ Legend Mike Eruzione Scolds Whining US Olympians for Getting Political
US military launches deadly strike on drug-trafficking vessel in the Pacific, leaving 2 dead and 1 survivor
Trump says he will block US-Canada Bridge unless Canada negotiates on trade
Keir Starmer insists he won’t resign amid potential replacements already emerging
Court rules against California ICE mask ban in win for Trump administration
No More Super Bowls for California – Seahawks QB Will Reportedly Owe Money for Winning a Ring Thanks to State’s Insane Tax Laws
Jeffries accuses Republicans of ‘voter suppression’ over bill requiring voter ID, proof of citizenship
House passes bipartisan housing bill as Trump zeroes in on affordability crisis
ICE nabs convicted pedophiles and murderers over weekend despite smears at Super Bowl: ‘Risking their lives’
US Forces Board Vessel ‘Operating in Defiance’ of Trump’s Quarantine: ‘It Ran, and We Followed’

See also  Judge says Abrego Garcia Supreme Court ruling may shape Venezuelan deportation case

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  The 2028 Democratic presidential contender must-have accessory: a tell-all book


Far-left nonprofits in the hot seat as lawmaker exposes them for ‘sowing chaos’ in US
Turning Point Action endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Senate race
Nancy Guthrie was expected at friend’s home, not church on day she vanished: source
Teen who shared cabin with Anna Kepner faces federal scrutiny in cruise ship death
Appeals court backs Noem move to end TPS protections for Nepal, Honduras, Nicaragua
Watch: ‘Miracle on Ice’ Legend Mike Eruzione Scolds Whining US Olympians for Getting Political
US military launches deadly strike on drug-trafficking vessel in the Pacific, leaving 2 dead and 1 survivor
Trump says he will block US-Canada Bridge unless Canada negotiates on trade
Keir Starmer insists he won’t resign amid potential replacements already emerging
Court rules against California ICE mask ban in win for Trump administration
No More Super Bowls for California – Seahawks QB Will Reportedly Owe Money for Winning a Ring Thanks to State’s Insane Tax Laws
Jeffries accuses Republicans of ‘voter suppression’ over bill requiring voter ID, proof of citizenship
House passes bipartisan housing bill as Trump zeroes in on affordability crisis
ICE nabs convicted pedophiles and murderers over weekend despite smears at Super Bowl: ‘Risking their lives’
US Forces Board Vessel ‘Operating in Defiance’ of Trump’s Quarantine: ‘It Ran, and We Followed’

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  The 2028 Democratic presidential contender must-have accessory: a tell-all book

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