JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Joint Base Charleston leadership has issued an updated memorandum on its mask wear policy after a year of requiring everyone to wear masks in an effort help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Mask wear on Joint Base Charleston will be in accordance with the Deputy Secretary of Defense memorandum, Updated Mask Guidelines for Vaccinated Persons, dated 13 May 2021, subject to any applicable labor relations obligations or mask requirements posted outside installation facilities to ensure a safe environment for vulnerable patrons (e.g., medical clinic, Child Development Center, etc.). Defense Commissary Agencies and Exchange policies remain at the discretion of each agency. Contractor personnel should seek guidance from the responsible contracting officer representative and their employer.
Until supplemental DoD Force Health Protection guidance is issued, commanders and supervisors may make exceptions to the 13 May 2021 DepSecDef guidance memorandum as necessary to ensure a safe work environment. Joint Base Charleston remains at HPCON Alpha and will continue to follow health and safety measures in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.
Federal employees may continue to telework under approved telework agreements and as allowable by mission requirements.
This memorandum rescinds my memorandum, Additional Guidance for Use of Masks and Other Public Health Measures on Joint Base Charleston, dated 8 February 2021 and modifies paragraph 2 of my memorandum, Notice of the Transition to Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Alpha and Installation Force Health Protection Guidance, dated 26 April 2021.