Covid-19 Cases and travel restrictions

I wanted to reach out to you personally to let you know that today we had an active-duty Airman test positive for COVID-19. The individual remains in isolation at their off-base residence and has received care from the 92 MDG. Local health officials in Spokane have been notified as well.

In response to this, and along with the state of emergency declared today by Spokane County, I have also declared a Public Health Emergency for Fairchild AFB. This emergency declaration allows expanded authorities to best protect our base community as we continue to mitigate the further effects of this national and global pandemic.

Furthermore, we continue our efforts to transition the base to a long-term sustainment posture that best balances our number priority—the safety of you and your families—with necessary mission requirements. As an installation, our teams remain aligned and our subject matter experts are continuously monitoring the situation while working closely with regional medical agencies to coordinate overall efforts.

We are committed to providing the best possible information through both public affairs and command channels and we appreciate your incredible efforts as we collectively work through these dynamic and challenging times. Thank you!

- Col Salmi

The individual is in isolation at their respective off-base residence, and the Spokane Regional Health District has been notified. On-base public health officials have begun the contact tracing process to notify those who may have come into contact with the positive individual.

Additionally, Col. Derek Salmi, the Installation Commander, has declared an on-base public health emergency on the recommendation of the Fairchild Public Health Emergency Officer.

"Our number one priority is protecting the health and safety of our Total Force Airmen and families," said Salmi. "We are lock-step with the Spokane Regional Health District and other community partners to help mitigate the spread and effects of the coronavirus while providing updates as quickly as possible."

This declaration provides the Fairchild AFB Installation Commander with additional authorities necessary to protect Airmen and families and limit the spread of the virus. This includes restricting movement of personnel and access to the installation as necessary and implementing quarantine or isolation procedures for affected individuals.

Fairchild has also raised their Health Protection Condition (HPCON) from Alpha to Bravo.

In HPCON Bravo, Fairchild AFB members and families are encouraged to practice prevention measures already in place, including following strict personal and environmental hygiene, social distancing, staying home if sick, self-quarantining if exposed, and contacting their healthcare provider if they develop any symptoms consistent with COVID-19, such as fever, coughing and shortness of breath.

For the latest information on COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus, and the Department of Defense Coronavirus website at www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus/.

See below for 92nd Air Refueling Wing Policy Guidance covering domestic travel for 92nd ARW personnel and families. I ask each of you to read and be familiar with its contents, in particular the stop movement guidance for all government-funded travel (PCS or TDY). The broader Department of Defense policy is included as an attachment as well.

Additionally, leave is restricted to the local area defined as a 150-mile radius originating from Fairchild AFB, not to include Canada. Within this area members are reminded to adhere to Centers For Disease Control protocols for social distancing, to include avoiding large gatherings, as well as sound personal hygiene practices.

92nd ARW Local Area Depiction

92nd ARW Stop Movement Guidance

By 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs