As we’ve learned about the COVID-19 virus and its surges, we have changed our approach to keeping Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities safe for Veterans, staff and visitors. As we move into the endemic phase, our goal is to provide maximum care to patients while adjusting safety protocols as COVID-19 goes up and down in our community. And here’s how we’re going to do it:
   VHA has developed a COVID-19 Future State Operational Plan to provide transparent and flexible guidelines for local facilities to help Veterans and staff know what to expect when entering a facility and to welcome Veterans into a facility for the routine medical care they need and deserve.
What are VHA Health Protection Levels?
   The COVID-19 Future State Operational Plan started May 23 and standardized VHA Health Protection Levels - low, medium and high. This is in line with other federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). By establishing national standards, VHA will have a consistent approach we can apply locally based on the COVID-19 conditions in our community.

• Each VHA Health Protection Level will include guidance on masking, PPE, screening, testing, visitation, physical distancing, group care/therapy, and staffing, among other topics. 
• Every week, we will monitor the local COVID-19 community transmission rate and update the VHA Health Protection Levels when needed. Any changes will be announced on Mondays.
• We will notify Veterans and staff of the VHA Protection Levels by displaying signage at all facility entrances, updating levels on our local facility website and social media, and providing other materials. Additionally, we will supply detailed information for staff on work area bulletin boards. 
• Transparent communications will make it easy for Veterans, staff, and visitors to know what to expect when they arrive at our facility.
• Areas like ICU, CLC and SCI/D will have more stringent safety protocols. These

The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS) began using these VHA Health Protection Levels for our facilities May 23. Please see the designations below:

Biloxi VAMC, Biloxi, Mississippi (Harrison County): Medium

• Surgical/Medical Masks continue to be required in all patient care buildings.
  • Bldg. 1 – Dental/Pharmacy
  • Bldg. 3 – Outpatient Services
  • Bldg. 14 – Behavioral Health
  • Bldg. 15 – Community Living Center
  • Bldg. 19 – Behavioral Health
  • Bldg. 25 – Behavioral Health
  • Bldg. 29 – Physical Medicine & Rehab
  • Bldg. 30 – Outpatient Services
• Patient Care Buildings:
• Masks are optional in non-patient care buildings.
  • Bldg. 2 – Administration
  • Bldg. 5 – Resident Housing
  • Bldg. 9 – Engineering/Mailroom
  • Bldg. 10 – Engineering Office
  • Bldg. 16 – Engineering Maintenance
  • Bldg. 17 – Recreational Hall
  • Bldg. 18 – Credit Union
  • Bldg. 21 – Canteen
  • Bldg. 26 – Supply Chain Management
  • Bldg. 27 – Engineering
  • Bldg. 28 – Parking Garage
  • Bldg. 31 – Nutrition and Food/Laundry
  • Bldg. 45/50 – Engineering Maintenance
  • Bldg. 52 – IT/Records Management
  • Bldg. 53 – Administration
  • T-102 – Administration
• Non-Patient Care Buildings:

Mobile VA Outpatient Clinic, Mobile, Alabama (Mobile County): Medium

• Masks continue to be required.

Pensacola VA Outpatient Clinic, Pensacola, Florida (Escambia County): High

• Masks continue to be required.

Eglin VA Outpatient Clinic, Eglin, Florida (Okaloosa County): High

• Masks continue to be required.

Panama City VA Outpatient Clinics, Panama City, Florida (Bay County): High

• Masks continue to be required.

   Thank you for everything you have done and your continued work to support America’s Veterans.

   With sincere thanks,

           Bryan C. Matthews, MBA
           Director
           Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System