ALCOAST 211/20 - JUN 2020 COVID-19 TRAVEL AND LEAVE POLICY – UPDATE 2

united states coast guard

R 012111 JUN 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-DCMS-DPR//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N06200//
ALCOAST 211/20
COMDTNOTE 6200
SUBJ:  COVID-19 TRAVEL AND LEAVE POLICY – UPDATE 2
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 202055 MAR 20/ALCOAST 098/20
B. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 200952 MAY 20/ALCOAST 180/20
C. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 231347 APR 20/ALCOAST 150/20
D. COVID-19 PLANORD (series)
E. DHS Deputy Under Secretary for Management Memorandum 2 March 2020
F. DOD Foreign Clearance Guide
1. This ALCOAST cancels REF (A) and provides all Coast Guard (CG) members with updated
travel and leave policy as it relates to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The
intent of this ALCOAST is to assist unit commanders to preserve force readiness,
accomplish CG missions, and to provide our members healthy outlets to improve mental
health and work-life balance while remaining ready and resilient during these
unprecedented times.
2. Domestic/Non-foreign Travel. All personnel must be aware of changing conditions in
locations they intend to travel to and through when making travel decisions, whether
that travel is local or across the country. The best way to access that information is
through the state, local, tribal, or territorial public health authorities. The CDC
maintains a link to all state and territorial health departments here:
https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/healthdirectories/healthdepartments.html
For questions or assistance in understanding this information, contact your local or
nearest CG clinic. Health Safety and Work Life and CG Clinic contact information can
be found at:
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG1/cg112/docs/pdf/HSWL%20Clinic%20POC%202019.
rtf?ver=2019-10-10-144846-843.
   a. Official Travel.
         (1) Official travel within the U.S. is authorized for essential,
time-sensitive missions, understanding that the number of time-sensitive missions will
increase the longer travel restrictions are in place.  The unit CO/OIC or first O-6 in
the chain-of-command must balance risk-to-mission and risk-to-member before authorizing
official travel.
         (2) FORCECOM units are at varying stages of returning to full
operating capability. FORCECOM will resume readiness activities as the situation allows. 
For the current status of all FORCECOM readiness activities (AIA, Exercise Support,
Class “A” and “C” schools), refer to Ref (F).  Waiver or cancellation requests for “A”
or “C” schools due to COVID-19 travel concerns require approval from the first O-6 or
GS-15 in the chain-of-command.
          (3) SELRES and IRR. IAW REF (C), The performance of IDT and ADT-AT
remain mission essential activities ensuring individual mobilization and unit readiness
to respond to contingencies.  However, Commands are encouraged to provide maximum
flexibility to their Reserve members, while balancing operational readiness with
exposure risk, especially those Reservists who travel from outside of the reasonable
commuting distance to their units in order to minimize exposure and maximize readiness
if activation is required.
    b. Leave/Leisure Travel. 
         (1) Military Personnel, including Reservists on Active Duty are authorized
local travel while on leave or liberty. For the purposes of this message, local travel
is defined by the CO/OINC or first O-6/GS-15 in the chain-of-command and should be
informed by and generally aligned with state and local jurisdictional posture. Travel
outside of these locally defined zones while on leave or liberty must be discussed with
and approved by the CO/OINC or first O-6/GS-15 in the chain-of-command. When considering
requests to travel beyond the local area, Commands should weigh all risk factors
including state and local government posture at the destination, mode of transportation,
planned activities, lodging, and precautions taken by the requesting traveler. Members
are reminded to follow CDC guidelines for safe interactions in public whenever on leave
or liberty.
         (2) All members are reminded to follow CDC travel advisories that provide
information about travel conditions.
3. Foreign Travel. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is issuing Travel Health Notices
(THNs) for impacted locations. A list of THNs can be found at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/
    a. Official Foreign Travel. IAW REF (E), CG official travel for all employees to
locations that the CDC has issued a Level 2 or higher THN is restricted to only mission
essential, time-sensitive work that cannot be handled via distance or remote means. For
any official foreign travel, Commanding Officers/Commanders should assess the risk to
mission using the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Flowchart (REF D, Enclosure 2). Personnel who
are permanently stationed in a foreign country shall follow the guidance of the cognizant
Department of Defense/Combatant Command (DOD/CCMD) or Departmentof State (DOS) Chief of
Mission (COM), as applicable.
    b. Leave/Leisure Travel.
         (1) Military Personnel, including Reservists on Active Duty. Leave travel
to or through foreign countries or territories is prohibited, to include leave that was
previously approved. In extenuating circumstances, members may request a waiver, with
final approval authority at the first Flag Officer/SES in their chain of command. For
personnel stationed overseas, follow the guidance of the cognizant DOD/CCMD or DOS/COM,
as applicable.
         (2) Civilian Personnel, Reservists not on orders, Dependents,
Auxiliarists, and Non-Appropriated Fund Personnel (NAF). Leave or leisure travel to
or through foreign countries or territories is highly discouraged. Consult the CDC and
DOS travel advisory websites prior to making any decision.
    c. Requirements. Commands and personnel are reminded to strictly adhere to the
requirements of REF (F) in requesting and approving any foreign travel.
   d. Contractors. Contract personnel that have traveled (or plan to travel) to
or through foreign countries or territories are required to notify their Contracting
Officer’s Representative. 
    e. Returning from foreign travel. IAW CDC Guidance, All personnel returning from
foreign travel to a country with an active CDC travel advisory should quarantine at home
for 14 days.  Refer to Ref (D) Enclosure (8), Commander’s Quarantine and Isolation
Procedures Guide (Q&I Guide) for required quarantine procedures. The Q&I Guide provides
direction for quarantine of military and civilian members, those living in CG-owned
housing, and members living aboard cutters.
    f. CG military and civilian employees who reside in CG-owned housing, who fall
under this paragraph are to remain in their home or quarters, per CDC government-wide
guidelines and 5 U.S.C. 7106 (a)(2)(D) for 14 days. During this time, military personnel
are subject to a Restriction Of Movement (ROM) and:
         (1) Will be assessed daily for fever and symptoms by cognizant CG medical
staff via phone consultation, coordinated through the nearest CG clinic. Members will not
come into clinics.
         (2) Will self-monitor for the onset of fever, cough, and/or trouble
breathing.  If these symptoms develop, CG military personnel are to contact their unit
leadership and the cognizant CG medical staff by phone for further direction. Members who
are experiencing a medical emergency should always contact a medical authority first
(e.g., 911).
         (3) Will separate themselves from other people in the home/quarters if
residing with roommates/family members and avoid sharing personal items; where separation
is not feasible, alternate quarters will be provided as described in Enclosure 8 of Ref (D). 
    g. Dependents of CG personnel and guests. Members whose dependents reside in
CG-owned housing must notify the local housing officer/authority if their dependents or
guests return from a location that the CDC has issued a Level 2 or higher THN.
    h. Auxiliary. Auxiliary members returning from personal travel from or through
a location that the CDC has issued a Level 2 or higher THN are prohibited from
participating in CG activities or visiting CG units during a period of 14-days following
the return from travel. After the mandatory 14-day period, Auxiliary members should
continue to use the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Flowchart (REF D, Enclosure 2) to determine
suitability to participate in CG activities and visit CG units.
4. PCS travel. For guidance on PCS travel refer to latest PCS & HHG SITREP ALCOAST.
5. The CG maintains a website with authoritative documents, frequently asked questions,
and a link to submit your questions. This site is updated continuously and should be
referenced first, and often: https://www.uscg.mil/Coronavirus/.
6. CG-1 will update this guidance via future SITREPs as the situation develops.
7. RADM P. F. Thomas, Deputy for Personnel Readiness, sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.