Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
What DoDEA parents and employees need to know…
The health and well-being of our students is our top priority. We will continue to work collaboratively with the military commands to do everything possible to address and mitigate this global pandemic.
This pandemic continues to be an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. The CDC is the best source of information and will provide updated information and guidance as it becomes available.
Employees, parents and students should stay informed about COVID-19 and limit the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
Because this is a rapidly evolving situation, school Principals and Installation Commanders are the best sources of information that affects our schools.
About COVID-19
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. COVID-19 is a coronavirus that has not been previously identified.
- How it spreads
- Symptoms
- What to do if you are sick?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is the best source of information on COVID-19.
School Closures and Re-opening Planning
All DoDEA schools remain closed to students for the remainder of School Year 2019-2020.
As a DoD entity, DoDEA generally follows operational guidance from the DoD and local/regional commands. DoDEA is currently awaiting the publication of DoD guidance regarding planning for the reopening of facilities and operations impacted by the global pandemic. DoDEA is collaborating across the military services and with local installation commands and military health officials in anticipation of health and safety mitigations, specific to school operations, that will be required or recommended by DoD.
DoDEA school re-openings may or may not mirror public school operational practices outside the installation, but will be based on the heath protection conditions and protocols established jointly with the commands and DoDEA.
Department of Defense Guidance on the Use of Cloth Face Coverings
Military personnel, DoD civilian employees, their family members, and DoD contractors are strongly encouraged to follow CDC guidelines on the use of cloth face coverings in public settings or where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
Effective immediately, to the extent practical, all individuals on DoD property, installations, and facilities will wear cloth face coverings when they cannot maintain six feet of social distance in public areas or work centers (this does not include in a Service member's or Service family member's personal residence on a military installation). The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness will issue updated force health protection guidance on DoD implementation.
Official Sources of Information and Guidance
Health Organizations
Department of Defense
Washington Headquarters Services Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) guidance on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it will affect those working in the Washinton DC area
Coronavirus: DOD Response The Defense Department is working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services and State Department to provide support in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.
Military Health System - Coronavirus The Military Health System (MHS) is one of America’s largest and most complex health care institutions, and the world’s preeminent military health care delivery operation.
Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service (DCPAS) DCPAS provides civilian personnel policies, HR solutions, and advisory services. The DCPAS online library provides reference guides addressing benefits and entitlements, displaced employees, priority placement, etc.
DoD Personnel Movement and Travel Restrictions
Update: Travel Restrictions: Green Locations, June 12, 2020
As of 18 June 2020, DoD travel restrictions remain in effect for all military installations hosting a DoDEA organization. The report at this link shows the status of the country, state, and installation assessments. In order for the travel restriction to be terminated for a military installation, the three assessed columns aligned to the installation - Country, State, and Overall Assessment - must all be assessed as "Green."
This cancels the SECDEF Travel Restrictions (stop movement) memo dated 20 April 2020 and reissues travel restriction guidance for all DoD personnel and their dependents whose travel is government funded will stop movement both internationally and domestically, while this memo is in effect unless conditions described in the memo are met.
DoDEA Director travel waivers will be required for any travel not exempt from the travel restrictions.
Once a U.S. state or territory or country meets the factors described in this memo indicating that criteria have been met to resume unrestricted travel, USD(P&R) will publish the change in status. Travel restrictions could be reinstated if a significant change in the factors occurs at the U.S. state, territory or host nation levels. HQ DoDEA will redistribute travel restriction changes and guidance when published by the USD(P&R). Unrestricted travel may resume when the criteria for states, territories and host nations are met as published by the USD(P&R) for BOTH the gaining and losing U.S. state or territory or host nation. DoDEA has no authority to lift stop movement for any location internationally or domestically.
Other Travel Resources
Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO)
CDC country specific Travel Health Notice (THN) levels for COVID-19
Resources for K-12 Principals and Schools
Checklist for Teachers, Parents, and Administrators (CDC) Get Your School Ready Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations FAQs for K-12 Schools and Childcare Program Administrators Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Interim Guidance for Administrators of US Childcare Programs and K-12 SchoolsHow to Talk to Your Kids About the Coronavirus
If your child is sick, please keep them at home and contact your healthcare provider. Talk with teachers about classroom assignments and activities they can do from home to keep up with their schoolwork.
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