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.


Mega-mansion built on Manson murder site now a luxury rental after years of failing to find buyer
Trump Scorches 2 SCOTUS Justices by Name: ‘Democrats don’t really need to “PACK THE COURT”‘
More than 25 charged in nationwide Tren de Aragua crackdown involving guns, drugs and cash
Watch: Trump Blasts NFL Over Possible Amazon, Netflix Deal – Says Many Fans ‘Don’t Make Enough Money to Pay’
ActBlue scrutiny fuels new GOP bills to tighten election donation rules
Alabama AG makes Supreme Court play that could deal decisive blow in redistricting war
GOP lawmaker unveils historic move to ‘expunge’ both ‘maliciously false’ impeachments against Trump
Trump says Iran’s latest proposal reneges on giving up enriched material: ‘Are they stupid people?’
Developing: Virginia Dems Plotting Overthrow of Entire State Supreme Court to Save Redistricting Scheme
Two Israeli Soldiers Sentenced to Prison for Desecration of Mary Statue
WHCA dinner gunman pleads not guilty to attempted Trump assassination charges
WHCA Dinner shooting suspect Cole Allen pleads not guilty, judge scoffs at defense’s power play
Footage shows moments before Frontier Airlines jet struck person on Denver airport runway
Democrats consider plan to wipe conservatives off Virginia Supreme Court: Report
Jeff Landry dismisses concerns about 45,000 discarded ballots after suspended primaries: ‘It’s not my fault’

See also  At least five killed and dozens injured in Ukraine in ‘vile’ Russian strike amid ceasefire talk

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  Trump motorcade drives across Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to inspect renovation efforts


Mega-mansion built on Manson murder site now a luxury rental after years of failing to find buyer
Trump Scorches 2 SCOTUS Justices by Name: ‘Democrats don’t really need to “PACK THE COURT”‘
More than 25 charged in nationwide Tren de Aragua crackdown involving guns, drugs and cash
Watch: Trump Blasts NFL Over Possible Amazon, Netflix Deal – Says Many Fans ‘Don’t Make Enough Money to Pay’
ActBlue scrutiny fuels new GOP bills to tighten election donation rules
Alabama AG makes Supreme Court play that could deal decisive blow in redistricting war
GOP lawmaker unveils historic move to ‘expunge’ both ‘maliciously false’ impeachments against Trump
Trump says Iran’s latest proposal reneges on giving up enriched material: ‘Are they stupid people?’
Developing: Virginia Dems Plotting Overthrow of Entire State Supreme Court to Save Redistricting Scheme
Two Israeli Soldiers Sentenced to Prison for Desecration of Mary Statue
WHCA dinner gunman pleads not guilty to attempted Trump assassination charges
WHCA Dinner shooting suspect Cole Allen pleads not guilty, judge scoffs at defense’s power play
Footage shows moments before Frontier Airlines jet struck person on Denver airport runway
Democrats consider plan to wipe conservatives off Virginia Supreme Court: Report
Jeff Landry dismisses concerns about 45,000 discarded ballots after suspended primaries: ‘It’s not my fault’

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  At least five killed and dozens injured in Ukraine in ‘vile’ Russian strike amid ceasefire talk

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