ALCOAST 098/21 - MAR 2021 COVID-19: IMPACTED ASSIGNMENT YEAR 21 (AY21): PCS AND HHG SHIPMENTS - SITREP 2

R 121420Z MAR 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST

UNCLAS
ALCOAST 098/21
SSIC 1320
SUBJ:  COVID-19: IMPACTED ASSIGNMENT YEAR 21 (AY21): PCS
AND HHG SHIPMENTS - SITREP 2
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 282150Z JAN 21/ALCOAST 030/21
B. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 280957 DEC 20/ALCOAST 465/20
C. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 211536 MAY 20/ALCOAST 187/20
1. This message cancels REF (A) and provides updated information
and resources for Coast Guard military members transferring this
assignment year. While the information provided in this message
will be of particular interest to those transferring in AY21,
it also includes critical information to commands, supervisors,
and SPO/ADMIN offices to assist their members in planning, preparing
for, and executing PCS orders. Communications will continue to
be a key factor in the overall success of the transfer season.
COMDT (CG-13) will continue to use all available communication
methods to provide updated guidance through the year.
2. Major Updates.
    a. Previous restrictions on administrative absences of up
to ten days for purpose of PCS relocation and familiarization
(house hunting) have been removed.
    b. PCS Float Plans are not required for some moves as outlined
in paragraph 3.b.
    c. PCS Assist Team composition information is updated in
paragraph 3.d.
    d. Canada/Alaska information is updated in paragraph 5.
3. The national COVID-19 pandemic impacted the 2020 PCS season,
but through good risk mitigation we were able to successfully
move 11,958 members and their household goods to keep the
lifeblood of the Coast Guard flowing. COVID-19 will influence
the execution of the 2021 PCS season. Building on the lessons
learned from PCS 2020, the following business practices are
implemented for PCS 2021.
    a. The Continued PCS Risk Assessment Team (CPRAT): Established
under the direction of the Assistant Commandant for Human Resources
and in coordination with the Director of Operational Logistics,
CPRAT was a key component in determining the risk to authorizing
PCS moves for the entire Service or for a particular region.
The CPRAT consisting of COMDTs (CG-1), (CG-8), (CG-094), DOL,
PSC, and FORCECOM representatives will continue to assess the
risk and provide recommendations to COMDT (CG-1) regarding
execution of PCS 2021.
    b. Float Plan: The Float Plan was developed to ensure the
safe transfer of members in the heightened-risk environment.
The Float Plan was recently updated from input received from
the field. Given the ongoing state of the pandemic, the use
of Float Plans is available for all, but required for those
members with less than 3 PCS moves (unless current move is less
than 50 miles), and those PCSing to/from Alaska, Hawaii, Guam,
Puerto Rico, USVI, PATFORSWA or other OCONUS duty station.
The PCS Float Plan form is located on the public web at:
https://www.uscg.mil/Coronavirus/PCS/.
    c. New Shipmate Form: In recognition of the challenges of
operating and working in a remote and dispersed manner and to
facilitate a member’s inclusion to the unit, the New Shipmate
Form was created as a means for the new unit to learn about
their incoming shipmate and ease the member’s transition. The
New Shipmate Form is located on the public web at:
https://www.uscg.mil/Coronavirus/PCS/.
    d. PCS Assist Team: Due to the unique challenges facing members
in conducting a PCS amidst the national pandemic, DOL created the
PCS Assist Team at DOL and three satellite OCONUS support team
locations, CGD7 (Puerto Rico/Caribbean), CGD14(Hawaii/Guam), and
CGD17(Alaska). The objective of the PCS Assist Team is to serve
as a support mechanism to ensure safe and efficient moves for Coast
Guard members. As the impact of COVID-19 continues into the PCS
2021 season, the PCS Assist Team will be utilized as a resource
for members conducting PCS moves. You can reach the PCS Assist
Team by phone (833-551-0887) or email (PCSAssist@uscg.mil).
4. CONUS/OCONUS Policy Guidance:
    a. CONUS/OCONUS PCS and HHG shipments are authorized until
further notice.
    b. PCS to and from foreign countries are authorized as long
as DoD or Chief of Mission (as applicable) restrictions are met.
Members should carry out PCS after receiving guidance from their
receiving commands.
5. Canada/Alaska Policy Guidance: PCS travel to, from, and
through Canada remains authorized.
    a. As soon as possible, but not less than 10 days prior
to departing your permanent duty station, all members planning
travel through Canada are required to send an e-mail to
D17-DG-M-K-BaseKodiak-Admin@uscg.mil, with the following
information:
        i. Rate/Rank;
        ii. First M. Last name of service member;
        iii. First M. Last name of all authorized travelers on orders;
        iv. D17 Unit assigned/departed;
        v. Type of Travel (PCS Departing from/Reporting to Alaska);
        vi. Estimated date of entry into/departure from Canada;
        vii. Canadian Border Crossing/Port of Entry;
        viii. Estimated date of entry into/departure from U.S.;
        ix. U.S. Border Crossing/Port of Entry;
        x. Vehicle make, model, and license plate info; and
        xi. Phone number while in a travel status.
    b. Entry into Canada from Alaska on the northern border is
not limited to a specific port of entry. However, there are
three to choose from:
        i. Beaver Creek in Yukon Territory;
        ii. Fraser (inland from Skagway) in British Colombia; and
        iii. Pleasant Camp in Stikine Region, BC.
    c. When travelling from the lower 48 states en route to
Alaska, you must enter Canada at one of five identified Canada
Border Services Agency (CBSA) ports of entry (POE):
        i. Abbotsford-Huntingdon (British Columbia);
        ii. Coutts (Alberta);
        iii. Kingsgate (British Columbia);
        iv. North Portal (Saskatchewan); and
        v. Osoyoos (British Columbia).
    d. ArriveCAN App: All travelers are required to provide
travel, contact and quarantine information upon and after
entry into Canada via ArriveCAN. This is part of Canada's
efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and prevent importation.
This information is crucial to Canada's response to COVID-19.
CBSA Officers will request an ArriveCAN receipt via screenshot,
print out, or e-mail. Travelers will need to submit the following
information electronically before they board their flight or
before arrival at a land border crossing:
        i. Travel and contact information;
        ii. Quarantine plan (unless exempted from the mandatory
requirement to quarantine set out in the emergency order under
the Quarantine Act); and
        iii. COVID-19 symptom self-assessments.
    e. Pre-entry Testing Requirement: Currently, whether driving
or flying, all travelers 5 years of age or older, regardless of
citizenship, must provide proof of a valid COVID-19 molecular test
result. At this time, proof of having a vaccine does not replace
a valid test result. Check here for updates: https://travel.gc.ca/
travel-covid/travel-restrictions/flying/covid-19-testing-travellers
-coming-into-canada#types.
    f. You must take the test within 72 hours of your entry into
Canada or your scheduled flight departure time (for those arriving
by land, the test must be taken in the United States); provide
one of the accepted types of tests, not an antigen test; keep
proof of your test results for the entire transit through Canada;
proof must include the travelers name and date of birth, name
and address of the lab/clinic/facility that administered the
test, test date, method of test (PCR or LAMP), and test result.
    g. Persons who have recovered from COVID-19 can continue to
test positive long after they have recovered and are no longer
infectious. Travelers who have previously tested positive for
COVID-19 must provide proof of a positive COVID-19 molecular
test conducted between 14 and 90 days prior to your entry into
Canada or your scheduled flight.
    h. Alaska Marine Highway System: Members PCSing to and from
Alaska via the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) (a.k.a the
Alaska Ferry) have experienced delays with the ferry system in
the past. If you are contemplating using the AMHS you must obtain
approval with your receiving command via the Float Plan. If you
choose to use the AMHS and delays are incurred, your receiving
command may only authorize non-chargeable absence IAW Coast Guard
Supplement to the Joint Travel Regulations, COMDINST 4600.17B 050205
for any additional days spent en route waiting for a scheduled or
delayed ferry, no additional travel days or entitlements will be
authorized.
6. Vehicle Processing Center (VPC): As detailed in REF (B),
members transferring in 2021 may utilize the VPC of their
choosing as long as that facility is the closest to their
old PDS, new PDS, or along the direct route between the two.
7. Personally Procured Move (PPM): The Joint Travel Regulations
(JTR) has permanently authorized a member executing a PPM to
receive a monetary allowance that is equal to 100% of the
Government’s “Best Value” for the actual HHG weight transported
up to the Service member’s maximum authorized weight allowance.
The decision to use a PPM during a PCS transfer is a personal
and complex choice. Members should contact their local Personnel
and Administration Office (P&A)/Personal Property Shipping Office
(PPSO) for additional information.
8. Travel and Leave Update: All personnel must be aware of
changing conditions in locations they intend to travel to and
through when making travel decisions. 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 Coast Guard members. Refer to latest
Travel and Leave SITREP for the latest policy guidance and
information.
9. Special Leave Accrual: Per REF (C) members must continue
to manage their accrued leave balances to avoid loss of leave.
Commands are encouraged to work with members to plan leave which
balances member and family needs with mission readiness. Due to
the Coast Guard response to COVID-19, Special Leave Accrual (SLA)
for all active and qualified reserve military personnel was approved
with the following maximum leave balance carryover for FY21-FY23
End of date FY:                      Total Carryover Limit
30SEP21                                 80 days
30SEP22                                 70 days
30SEP23                                 60 days
10. The Coast Guard 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 often:
https://www.uscg.mil/Coronavirus/.
11. POC: Office of Military Personnel and Policy, COMDT (CG-1331)
at HQS-PolicyandStandards@uscg.mil or COMDT (CG-1332)
at HQS-DG-LST-CG-1332-Travel@uscg.mil.
12. RADM J. M. Nunan, Assistant Commandant for Human Resources
(CG-1), sends.
13. Internet release is authorized.