BREAKING: Fort Bragg Says Returning Soldiers Face Quarantine; No Positive Tests on Post
FORT BRAGG, NC - JANUARY 04: U.S. troops from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division arrive at Green Ramp for a deployment to the Middle East on January 4, 2020 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Soldiers from the Immediate Response Force of the 82nd are part of the approximately 3,000 troops being deployed as tensions increase with Iran in the region after a U.S. airstrike killed top Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. (Photo by Andrew Craft/Getty Images)
In a Facebook Live town hall, officials from Fort Bragg provided updates on how the installation and the soldiers and families are being impacted by coronavirus.
Of note, officials said that anyone returning from temporary duty travel (TDY) or deployment will be placed into a mandatory 14-day quarantine in either the barracks or their home. Violations of those quarantines could lead to jail or fines, potentially. Any soldiers scheduled to return from “Level Three” areas – primarily Europe – will remain on deployment 60 days longer.
Other items of note:
- “Fort Bragg will maintain its critical capabilities and doesn’t shut down. We will stand mission ready at all times.”
- Womack Army Medical Center Director Col. John Melton also said that there have been NO positive tests for coronavirus on Fort Bragg, despite rumors.
- The access control points will be open and our Fort Bragg community will still be able to get onto and off of the installation.
- Officials said that homecomings for soldiers returning from deployment will also be changed, with only one person being allowed to pick up the soldier from Green Ramp. At that point, the soldier would enter into quarantine at home or in barracks. They would not be allowed to travel elsewhere until that quarantine period has passed.
- Soldiers with asthma are being treated just like other soldiers at this point, although they may face a more isolated quarantine when they return.
- All Level Two deployments are happening as scheduled.
- All Level Three deployments are delayed 60 days.
- Womack AMC is looking at alternative solutions for testing procedures outside of the hospital facility if the need arises.
- Most large gatherings of over 100 people will likely be canceled, but check with individual entities to verify. Churches are staying open at this time, but if you are sick, don’t go.
- If you are demonstrating symptoms, make sure to alert emergency personnel that you are showing those symptoms BEFORE interactions.
- Garrison Commander says cleaning contracts have been increased, and there is no issue with funding to handle any additional cleaning procedures necessary.
Brandon Plotnick is a former sports journalist, now living in the digital space with interests all over the musical and pop culture map.
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