No COVID-19 cases at Fort Benning but quarantines are happening. What you need to know.
No Fort Benning personnel have tested positive for the new coronavirus, but all five schools on the installation closed Wednesday. Those were among the most noteworthy announcements military officials made during a Facebook town hall Tuesday evening.
Maj. Gen Gary Brito, Col. Matt Scalia and Martin Army Community Hospital’s Col. Melissa Hoffman spoke for more than an hour and a half addressing changes to Benning’s operations and events as the number of COVID-19 cases rise across the country and in Georgia.
“Every aspect … things are going to change,” Brito said.
Below are some of the most important takeaways.
COVID-19 testing at Benning
As of March 17, 10 personnel have been tested for COVID-19. So far, none of the samples have tested positive. Those entering Martin Army Community Hospital are screened before entry. If a person meets certain testing criteria, samples are taken. But lab tests are not done at the hospital.
Military personnel have been quarantined or isolated over COVID-19 concerns. As of March 17, 61 were separated from their peers in some manner. Some are isolated, meaning people with symptoms are separated from those who are healthy, officials said.
Others are quarantined, meaning officials are separating people who have traveled in an area where the illness is present or have been in contact with a sick person to see if symptoms develop. Some of those measures were voluntary, and others have already ended their public separation, officials said.
Schools, other facilities to close
The five schools on the military installation closed Wednesday. Students have been issued laptops to allow them to continue their education, Scalia said.
Families are not allowed to visit any trainee or soldier attending any training course or supporting camps at Fort Benning as of March 18.
Child-care services at the installation are limited to essential staff, medical personnel and first-responders.
The food court and other restaurants have ceased dine-in services. Everything is to-go or pick up only.
Bowling and bingo closed Wednesday. All gyms and fitness facilities closed Wednesday.
Telecommuting and working from home are encouraged if possible.
Events that typically draw over 150 people have already been canceled. Some of those cancellations include graduations, as well as:
March 17 - Monthly Retirement Ceremony
March 19 - National Prayer Breakfast
March 26-29 - Archery Shooters Association Shoot
March 27 - Golf Scramble
March 28 - Spring Flea Market
March 30 - 2-54 Infantry CSM Change of Responsibility
April 1 - USAMU Change of Command/Change of Responsibility
April 4 - Eggstravaganza and 5K Bunny Run
April 5 - Gold Star Spouses Brunch
April 8 - The MCoE Commanding General’s Quarterly Awards Ceremony
April 12 - Easter Sunrise Service
April 21 - Monthly Retirement Ceremony
April 24 - Golf Scramble
May 3 - Jazz in the Park
May 4 - OCS Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
June 12 - 2020 MCoE Army Birthday Ball
Decisions about larger events like April’s Infantry Week have not been made, Brito said. A decision could come soon.
The barbershop and outdoor recreation like the golf course remain open. The movie theater will be open, but ticket sales will be limited.
The commissary is open. Hours have changed slightly, and there is a three-item limit for some cleaning and personal hygiene items, officials said.
Travel is limited
Deputy Defense Secretary David L. Norquist signed a memorandum halting all domestic travel — which includes permanent changes of station and temporary duty travel — from March 16 to May 11.
Soldiers and their families will not be allowed to travel more than 100 miles away from Fort Benning, excluding special circumstances, officials said.
The full town hall event can be viewed below:
This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 10:03 AM.