Fort Benning places further limits on post access to combat coronavirus pandemic
Fort Benning has tightened access to help combat the coronavirus pandemic known as COVID-19.
The U.S. Army post adjacent to Columbus announced the following restrictions Friday:
- Suspended the Trusted Traveler Program.
- Limited access to active or retired military ID cardholders, common access cardholders and Automated Installation Entry cardholders.
- Babysitters, nannies, au pairs, deliveries, commercial trucks, buses, VA clinic patrons, moving trucks and personal medical services still can access the post, but they must stop at a visitor control center if they don’t have military ID or an AIE.
These restrictions mean that the following reasons for visiting Fort Benning won’t be allowed until further notice:
- Visiting a trainee or permanent resident.
- Golfing on the post’s Follow Me Course..
- Eating at one of the installations restaurants.
Fort Benning also announced these measures:
- Canceled graduations and family days.
- Postponed competitions planned for April and May.
- Implemented social distancing techniques.
- Expanded teleworking and flexibility for leave time.
- Using CDC-approved screening for all personnel arriving for training, including taking temperature of recruits at the reception battalion, asking about foreign travel and potential exposure to infected people and screening for COVID-19 symptoms.
Established an area for personnel who require mandatory 14-day observation.
Mark Rice
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer