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.


Kentucky middle school teacher accused of crossing the line with student, arrested under new anti-grooming law
North Dakota mom stabs her 2 children to death in ‘horrific’ killing that left cops traumatized: officials
Trump says Will Scharf will replace David Warrington as White House counsel in September
Bernie Sanders demands Democrats ban super PACs from primaries, blasts AIPAC, ‘corrupt system’
Trump doubles down on reflecting pool vandalism allegations, cites new witness account
AOC documents egg-freezing journey, takes aim at Trump admin over women’s reproductive choices
Teen burglary ring linked to nearly 80 Bay Area break-ins dismantled after months-long investigation: PD
Indian national accused of Arizona girlfriend’s murder entered US on student visa: federal sources
Spencer Pratt: Communists aren’t just ‘evil’ they’re ’embarrassingly cringe’
AOC freezes her eggs: ‘I think it’s bada**’
RNC chair says Talarico’s GOP crossover hopes are a ‘pipe dream’: ‘Nobody is going to follow him’
‘Outsider’ House primary winner sets sights on flipping longtime GOP seat back from Dems: ‘Ready for a change’
Max Miller locked in as Republican nominee after Ohio ballot deadline passes without withdrawal
Vice President Vance says migrant communities show ‘clear pattern’ in federal fraud as investigations widen
Biden-world veteran issues stark warning about Abdul El-Sayed as he crosses party lines

See also  ‘Oxferd Comma’ investigation being declassified by White House, with John Solomon briefing

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  AOC freezes her eggs: ‘I think it’s bada**’


Kentucky middle school teacher accused of crossing the line with student, arrested under new anti-grooming law
North Dakota mom stabs her 2 children to death in ‘horrific’ killing that left cops traumatized: officials
Trump says Will Scharf will replace David Warrington as White House counsel in September
Bernie Sanders demands Democrats ban super PACs from primaries, blasts AIPAC, ‘corrupt system’
Trump doubles down on reflecting pool vandalism allegations, cites new witness account
AOC documents egg-freezing journey, takes aim at Trump admin over women’s reproductive choices
Teen burglary ring linked to nearly 80 Bay Area break-ins dismantled after months-long investigation: PD
Indian national accused of Arizona girlfriend’s murder entered US on student visa: federal sources
Spencer Pratt: Communists aren’t just ‘evil’ they’re ’embarrassingly cringe’
AOC freezes her eggs: ‘I think it’s bada**’
RNC chair says Talarico’s GOP crossover hopes are a ‘pipe dream’: ‘Nobody is going to follow him’
‘Outsider’ House primary winner sets sights on flipping longtime GOP seat back from Dems: ‘Ready for a change’
Max Miller locked in as Republican nominee after Ohio ballot deadline passes without withdrawal
Vice President Vance says migrant communities show ‘clear pattern’ in federal fraud as investigations widen
Biden-world veteran issues stark warning about Abdul El-Sayed as he crosses party lines

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  Don Lemon moves to dismiss case over Minnesota church protest on selective and vindictive prosecution claims

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