FORT HOOD, Texas — Fort Hood officials issued a new order detailing curfew changes, travel restrictions, visitations and more to address the health and safety of those residing or working on Fort Hood amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The new general order was put in place to blunt the spread of the virus while protecting soldiers, civilian workers, and families, according to the order. Signed May 15, the order was effective immediately.
Violations of the order may result in prosecution or "other adverse administrative action." Requests for waivers of any provision of the order can be submitted to the endorsing officer through the chain of command.
Subordinate commanders may impost additional restrictions "if necessary for good order and discipline."
Here is a breakdown of the order:
Curfew
Soldiers are ordered to remain inside there places of residence between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the work week. The curfew applies to those living in barracks, on-post family housing and off-post private residences. Civilian family members living with soldiers are encouraged to follow the curfew as well.
Exceptions include travel related to official duties and to receive emergency medical care.
Visitation
Soldiers may have visitors at their residences and may visit others, as long as the total number of people in a place does not exceed 10. Soldiers should also wear face coverings, wash hands and practice social distancing when visiting. Civilian families living with a solder are also encouraged to follow these guidelines.
Travel
Soldiers may travel outside of curfew hours only to support mission functions, daily living activities, or visitations in accordance with visitation guidelines.
Daily activities include businesses operating in accordance with Gov. Greg Abbott's executive orders, visiting parks and hunting or fishing. Social distancing should be maintained and contact should be minimized with people who are not part of their household.
Groups will not exceed 10 people. Soldiers may not travel outside a 40 mile radius from Fort Hood, except where a soldier's residence is outside that radius.
Soldiers who live outside the 40 mile radius may travel to and from their houses for mission-essential travel or daily activities as all other travel is prohibited.
Physical Fitness
Soldiers are authorized to perform individual or buddy team fitness training. However, groups of more than 10 personnel cannot congregate.
Those participating will wear gloves and immediately wash hands after touching common fitness items.
Hygiene
When available, personnel will wash their hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer upon entering common on-post areas. Common areas include the PX, commissary, dining facility and similar areas.
In work environments, personnel will disinfect high-contact areas, such as desks, light switches, and door handles at lease twice a day.
Face Coverings
All individuals on DOD property, installations and facilities will wear face cloth coverings when they cannot keep at least six feet apart in public areas or work centers. This does not include personal housings.
Service members will not wear masks that have printed wording, profanity, racist, demeaning or derogatory logos, script or imagery.
Service members cannot cut up army combat uniforms to make face coverings as these may have been treated with chemicals.
Quarantine and Isolation
Soldiers are required to adhere to the directives of medical personnel and commanders regarding an order into quarantine or isolation.
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