U.S. Forces Japan COVID-19

**RENEWED PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE MEASURES**

Due to the continued transmission of COVID-19 cases in Japan, the following protective measures have been established and are mandatory for all individuals present on or assigned to Yokota Air Base. This order also includes personnel assigned to mission partner and tenant units.

**JAPAN TRAVEL UPDATE**
All personnel traveling into Japan require a negative COVID-19 test within three days of travel, regardless of vaccination status, both commercial and military air.

**COVID-19 MITIGATION POLICY UPDATE January 7, 2022**
Updates to Current Force Public Health Order:
All individuals on military installations and all individuals performing official duties on behalf of the Department of Defense from any location other than the individual's home, including outdoor shared spaces, will wear masks. This includes: Military Personnel, DoD Civilian Employees and Host-Nation Employees, Family Members, DoD contractors, and all other individuals on DoD property, installations, and facilities.
Exceptions:
- Under the age of 2;
- When conducting individual physical fitness activities outdoors while maintaining social distance;
- When an individual is alone in an office with floor-to-ceiling walls with a closed door;
- For brief periods of time when eating and drinking while maintaining distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines and instructions from commanders and supervisors;
- When the mask is required to be lowered briefly for identification or security purposes; and
- When necessary to reasonably accommodate an individual with a disability.

*As of January 6, 2022*

U.S. Forces Japan increases HPCON to Bravo, extends Japan-wide public health emergency

The commander of U.S. Forces Japan has extended the Public Health Emergency (PHE) for Japan in accordance with DoD Instruction (DoDI) 6200.03, “Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) Within the DoD.” The PHE will automatically terminate on 1 April 2022, unless it is renewed and republished or sooner terminated by the commander. This order supersedes the previous PHE declaration for Japan issued on 2 November 2021.

Previous Changes to Current Force Public Health Order:
- Sets HPCON level for USFJ and all USFJ components to BRAVO while allowing for additional measures by individual bases and OACC based on local conditions.
- All individuals entering Japan will complete a 14-day ROM, regardless of vaccination status.
- All individuals in ROM will wear a face covering until receipt of a negative viral test administered by USG or GoJ in Japan. An international entry test at a commercial airport does not meet this requirement.
- Individuals traveling into Japan via Patriot Express or Mil-Air require a COVID-19 test upon entry, regardless of vaccination status.

CDC - www.cdc.gov

USFJ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/USForcesJapan/

Foreign Clearance Guide (CAC Enabled) - https://apacs.milcloud.mil/apacs/ssoservlet

Yokota Passenger Terminal Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/YokotaPassengerterminal730ams/

DoD COVID Guidance - https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Latest-DOD-Guidance

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

** To schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, visit the 374th Medical Group appointment page at: https://yokota.tricare.mil/Getting-Care/Appointments-Referrals/

U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) is implementing the Department of Defense (DoD) COVID-19 vaccine plan centered on a standardized and coordinated strategy for prioritizing, distributing, and administering the COVID-19 vaccine.

USFJ has implemented the DoD’s phased approach to vaccinate all Active component, Reserve component, TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select beneficiaries, and select DoD civilians and contract personnel along with Local National employees that are not contractors authorized to receive immunizations from DoD. Please see above link to schedule an appointment to receive a vaccine.

Terms you should know
- Active monitoring – The process in which healthcare provider or MTF establishes regular communication with potentially exposed people to assess for the presence of fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. For people with high-risk exposures, this communication occurs at least once a day.
- CDC definitions:
  - Clinical Diagnosis of COVID-19 – Term used for persons with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 who have not had laboratory confirmation of infection for COVID-19.
  - Confirmed Case – A person (case) that is laboratory test positive for SARS-CoV-2.
  - Person Under Investigation (PUI) – An individual who meets CDC’s requirements for clinical features and risk. Only PUIs should be tested for SARS-CoV-2. (Note: the CDC’s definition of PUI has evolved)
  - Self-monitoring – The process of individuals monitoring themselves for COVID-19 symptoms by taking their temperatures twice a day and remaining alert for symptoms like cough or difficulty breathing. Commanders should provide a plan to service members on self-monitoring with instructions on whom to contact if they develop fever, cough, or difficulty breathing during the self-monitoring period, and to determine how best to seek further medical evaluation.
- Confirmed positive - CDC verified positive test results.
- Cordon sanitaire – a guarded line or perimeter for the restriction of movement of people into or out of a defined geographic area, often as a barrier to stop the spread of infectious diseases.
- DOD-defined terms per DoDI 6200.03 (29 MAR 2019):
  - Restriction of Movement (ROM) – Limiting movement of an individual or group to prevent or diminish the transmission of a communicable disease, including limiting ingress and egress to, from, or on a military installation; isolation; quarantine; and conditional release.
    - -Service members should be restricted to their residence or other appropriate domicile for 14 days and limit close contact (within 6 feet or 2 meters) with others during this 14-day period. DoD Force Health Protection Guidance (Supplement 4)
    - -Service members should not travel, visit public areas, or use public transportation and should avoid interaction with pets or other animals. DoD Force Health Protection Guidance (Supplement 4)
  - Quarantine – The separation of an individual or group that has been exposed to a communicable disease, but is not yet ill, from others who have not been so exposed, in such manner and place to prevent the possible spread of the communicable disease.
  - Isolation - The separation of an individual or group infected or reasonably believed to be infected with a communicable disease from those who are healthy in such a place and manner to prevent the spread of the communicable disease.
- Morbidity - Any departure, subjective or objective, from a state of physiological or psychological well-being with regards to disease.
- Mortality Rate - A measure of the frequency of occurrence of death in a defined population during a specified interval of time.
- Presumed Positive - An official diagnostic COVID-19 test was conducted and returned positive results, but has not been verified/confirmed by the CDC.
- Public health emergency - An occurrence or imminent threat of an illness or health condition that poses:
  - - A high probability of a significant number of deaths in the affected population considering the severity and probability of the event
  - - A significant number of serious or long-term disabilities in the affected population considering the severity and probability of the event
  - - Widespread exposure to an infectious or toxic agent, including those of zoonotic origin, that poses a significant risk of substantial future harm to a large number of people in the affected population
  - - Health care needs that exceed available resources OR
  - - Severe degradation of mission capabilities or normal operations
- SARS-CoV-2 – The name of the virus causing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), per World Health Organization.
- Screening – Actions taken by a competent medical authority to evaluate a patient to determine whether the patient meets the criteria to be flagged as a PUI.
- Self-monitoring with delegated supervision – The process of individuals self-monitoring with oversight by designated healthcare providers. The healthcare provider or military treatment facility (MTF) should plan for medical evaluation of personnel who develop fever, cough, or difficulty breathing during the self-monitoring period to include transportation to a pre-designated MTF clinic space. The healthcare provider/MTF should remain in contact with personnel through the self-monitoring period to oversee self-monitoring activities.
- Self-observation – The process of individuals remaining alert for COVID-19 symptoms. If symptoms develop during the observation period, the service member should limit contact with others and seek health advice by telephone from a healthcare provider determine how to seek further medical evaluation.
- Testing – The laboratory confirmation process to determine a positive or negative SARS-CoV-2 case.
USFJ Component COVID-19 Pages
III MEF

https://www.iiimef.marines.mil/Coronavirus-Information/

CNFJ

https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrj/news/covid-19-update.html

Kadena Air Base

https://www.kadena.af.mil/Coronavirus-COVID-19/

MCAS Iwakuni

https://www.mcasiwakuni.marines.mil/

Misawa Air Base

https://www.misawa.af.mil/COVID-19-Information/

U.S. Army Japan

https://www.usarj.army.mil/misc/covid19/

U.S. Forces Korea

https://www.usfk.mil/Media/News/Article/2070556/usfk-covid-19-information/

Yokota Air Base

https://www.yokota.af.mil/COVID-19/
COVID-19 Resource Links
CDC Frequently Asked Questions

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

Updated CDC guidance:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

CDC guidance and recommendations for health care providers:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/index.html

Interim CDC Guidance on Pets and Other Animals

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/interim-guidance-managing-people-in-home-care-and-isolation-who-have-pets.html

CDC Travel Health Alerts:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

U.S. Embassy Tokyo COVID-19

https://jp.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-information/

World Health Organization COVID-19

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

Health.mil spotlight page:

https://health.mil/News/In-the-Spotlight/Coronavirus

Office of Personnel Management preliminary guidance to federal agencies:

https://www.chcoc.gov/content/preliminary-guidance-agencies-during-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
Press Releases
April 6, 2020

U.S. Forces Japan declares public health emergency

for the Kanto Plains region

Yokota Air Base, Tokyo – The U.S. Forces Japan commander announced a Public Health Emergency for the Kanto Plains region, Apr. 6, 2020.

The declaration ensures commanders possess the necessary authorities to enforce compliance health protection measures among military, civilians, and contractors who live and work on U.S. installations.

“Protecting the health and safety of everyone associated with U.S. Forces Japan is my number one priority. Due to the steady increase in COVID-19 cases in the Tokyo area, I have implemented a Public Health Emergency for the Kanto Plains region,” said Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider, U.S. Forces Japan commander. “This order covers all Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine installations and facilities in the area.”

Kanto Plains installations include: Combined Arms Training Center (CATC) Camp Fuji, Camp Zama, Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY), Hardy Barracks (Akasaka Press Center), Ikego Housing Area, Sagami Depot, Sagamihara Housing, Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, New Sanno Hotel, Tama Hills Recreation Area, Yokohoma North Dock, Yokota Air Base, and any other associated communication sites, housing areas or facilities within the designated Kanto Plains area.

“I cannot underscore enough the importance of personal responsibility at a time like this. Stopping the spread of COVID-19 requires the entire team – service members, civilians, families, and our Japanese partners, Schneider added. “The virus makes no exceptions based on military or civilian status, and our policies and procedures won’t either. We are in this together and I need every single person on every single facility and installation to take this seriously and comply with these measures. While I understand how challenging these times are, it is everyone’s responsibility to do their best to prevent the spread of this virus.”

The PHE will remain in effect through May 5, unless it is renewed or terminated sooner by the USFJ commander.

USFJ continues to follow existing international, U.S. and local guidance and procedures to protect and safeguard our workforce and families. Expansion of health protection and security measures have provided effective ways to lessen risks from COVID-19.

USFJ will continually assess its preventative measures, procedures and continues to encourage strict hygiene measures to reduce the risk of transmission. Anyone who believes they are ill should coordinate with their organizations in order to stay home and avoid exposing others to infection.

Updates from the Centers for Disease Control are available at the link below as well as on the USFJ homepage.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/coronavirus-japan

February 26, 2020

U.S. Forces, Japan Elevates Health Protection Condition and

Restricts Non-Essential Travel to the Republic of Korea

The Commander of U.S. Forces, Japan today announced a decision to elevate the Health Protection Condition within USFJ to “Bravo”. Actions required by units within USFJ during this elevated health protection status include:

• Consideration of limiting or cancelling meetings, training events, formations, large social gatherings, etc…

• Monitoring conditions in areas near U.S. bases and stations and coordination with local health officials

• Encouraging strict hygiene measures, including frequent handwashing, wiping down common surface areas on a regular basis, etc.

• Consideration of additional health screening measures at points of entry to installations if necessary

The overall risk to individual USFJ members in Japan remains low. However, the command encourages strict hygiene measures to reduce the risk of transmission. Those who are ill should coordinate with their organizations in order to stay home and avoid exposing others to infection.

Further information from the Centers for Disease Control is available here:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/coronavirus-japan

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo has additional information available here:

https://jp.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-information/

The commander also restricted non-essential travel to the Republic of Korea (ROK). This decision followed the Centers for Disease Control decision to increase the risk assessment for the ROK as the Coronavirus spreads in the country.

All official trips to the ROK must be command approved, and all leisure or non-essential travel is prohibited for USFJ personnel and families.

-USFJ-
Policy updates
USFJ Force Health Protection Order, 14 March 2020

Department of Defense Force Health Protection Guidance (Supplement 4)
service component covid-19 guidance and policy
U.S. Marine Corps

https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/MARADMINS/

U.S. Air Force

https://www.af.mil/News/Coronavirus-Disease-2019/

U.S. Army

https://www.army.mil/covid-19/

U.S. Navy

https://navylive.dodlive.mil/2020/03/15/u-s-navy-covid-19-updates/
DODEA PACIFIC
All questions regarding DoDEA schools and COVID-19 should be directed to DoDEA Pacific Public Affairs, Miranda Ferguson, at miranda.ferguson@dodea.edu

DoDEA Pacific Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/dodea.pacific/

DoDEA Pacific official website

https://www.dodea.edu/pacific/

Questions and Answers

FAQ

What is a NOVEL CORONAVIRUS?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause the common cold or Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019, now known as COVID-19, is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.
What is the source of the virus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people, and others, such as canine and feline coronaviruses, only infect animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses that infect animals have emerged to infect people and can spread between people. This is suspected to have occurred for the virus that causes COVID-19. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) are two other examples of coronaviruses that originated from animals and then spread to people. More information about the source and spread of COVID-19 is available on the Situation Summary: Source and Spread of the Virus.
How does the virus spread?
This virus was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The first infections were linked to a live animal market, but the virus is now spreading from person-to-person. It’s important to note that person-to-person spread can happen on a continuum. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so.

The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.

Learn what is known about the spread of newly emerged coronaviruses.
Can someone who has had COVID-19 spread it to others?
The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

How long someone is actively sick can vary so the decision on when to release someone from isolation is made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with doctors, infection prevention and control experts, and public health officials and involves considering specifics of each situation including disease severity, illness signs and symptoms, and results of laboratory testing for that patient.

Current CDC guidance for when it is OK to release someone from isolation is made on a case by case basis and includes meeting all of the following requirements:
- The patient is free from fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- The patient is no longer showing symptoms, including cough.
- The patient has tested negative on at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected at least 24 hours apart.
Someone who has been released from isolation is not considered to pose a risk of infection to others.
How can i protect myself?
Visit the COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment page to learn about how to protect yourself from respiratory illnesses, like COVID-19.
Should I be tested for COVID-19?
If you develop symptoms such as fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19, stay home and call your healthcare provider. Older patients and individuals who have severe underlying medical conditions or are immunocompromised should contact their healthcare provider early, even if their illness is mild. If you have severe symptoms, such as persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips of face, contact your healthcare provider or emergency room and seek care immediately. Your doctor will determine if you have signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and whether you should be tested.
Do masks prevent infection?
Facemasks will not prevent you from contracting COVID-19 from others; however, they may reduce the risk of spreading the virus if used properly. The use of facemasks at medical facilities is crucial for the safety of health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

When wearing a mask, do not neglect other essential preventative measures. Wash hands before and after touching your mask. Complete surgical mask instructions can be found at the World Health Organization.
Should I be concerned about my pets and COVID-19?
While this virus seems to have emerged from an animal source, it is now spreading from person-to-person in China. There is no reason to think that any animals including pets in the United States might be a source of infection with this new coronavirus. To date, CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19. At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals including pets can spread COVID-19. However, since animals can spread other diseases to people, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands after being around animals. For more information on the many benefits of pet ownership, as well as staying safe and healthy around animals including pets, livestock, and wildlife, visit CDC’s Healthy Pets, Healthy People website.
If someone tests positive for COVID-19, should they avoid contact with pets?
You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just like you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you are sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a facemask.