A. To ensure the health and safety of the Hanscom community, the installation commander has decided to implement a trailing strategy to the timelines of off-base services such as worship services. Our installation chaplain is currently working with our Public Health office to review health and safety protocols to allow both Protestant and Catholic services to resume in the near future in a way that protects our faith communities and chaplain staff from COVID-19.  We are hoping to have a timeline developed by the end of May for resuming chapel services. As soon as plans are finalized, they will be disseminated. 

A. If possible to do so safely (i.e., from a reasonable distance) you can ask them to disperse or cease the activity. If that doesn’t work and you know any of the parents and feel you can engage them calmly to alert them, that is another option. However if neither of those options is feasible or successful, you may always contact the Law Enforcement Desk, and our Security Forces will look into the matter and take any necessary actions to ensure our collective safety. At no time should anyone “take matters into their own hands” and try to correct the behavior through any sort of forceful or physical means.

A: Air Force guidance says that face coverings in uniform should be conservative, professional and in keeping with dignity and respect. Examples would be black, tan, olive or other colors that are within the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) or Operation Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniforms. At this time, uniformity is less important than wearing some sort of face covering to help prevent the spread of the virus.

The U.S. Army Public Health Center provided specific actions for individuals recommended at each Health Protection Condition (HPCON) level. Monitoring of employees and customer’s temperatures are not recommended until HPCON Delta. Hanscom Public Health will continue working closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and AFMC in case they come out with different recommendations.

Yes, it can be done, but for right now it is not recommended. The current control measures and precautions that Public Health recommended are the ones that are more beneficial (enforcing hand washing, minimizing on premise dining, etc.). PH continues to do food sanitation and safety walk-throughs at the facilities providing services to the base population.

Signage will be posted at the base entrance letting people know if they have been exposed to COVID-19 or experiencing symptoms related to the disease that they should go home. Also, the Secretary of Defense released guidance on April 5 for use of face coverings. N95’s or surgical masks are not recommended for general population.   

Face coverings must be worn in all public areas where social distancing alone cannot be maintained to include the Commissary, Base Exchange, Shoppette/Class Six or any areas where significant community-based transmission could occur on the installation. Individuals in work centers who share an office should wear the mask into the office and throughout the day when commuting in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Base leadership continues to coordinate with the base services leaders (DECA and AAFES) to ensure that we are doing the best we can to reduce the spread of the virus.

A: 66 LRS central Shipping and Receiving (Cargo Movement Section) is open daily on a limited basis from 9 a.m. to noon. With prior coordination, high priority outbound shipments will be accepted and processed, but on-time delivery is not guaranteed.  Inbound shipments will be stored at CMS until final delivery can be coordinated. Door-to-door deliveries will be conducted on a case-by-case basis, depending on the volume of the shipment and with prior coordination. 

  -- Official mail pickup and delivery must be coordinated with the Official Mail Center (OMC). 

  -- We understand our customers’ missions must continue and we will work to support your mission to the greatest extent possible. Please send outbound and inbound shipment requests to 66lrs.lgrddc.cargo@us.af.mil. During weekday duty hours, call the CMS duty cell at 781-760-1880. On weekends between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., contact the 66 ABG CAT at 781-225-1318. After hours, contact the Hanscom Command Post at 781-225-6960.

A: Please refer to the base COVID 19 page at https://www.hanscom.af.mil/Coronavirus/  for details on base access and point of contacts for CAC issuance customer service. 

Q: (continued) I am assuming that most aspects of directorates are allowing people to telework, but in those areas where people cannot telework, the Clinic, CE, fire department, and SFS, it would help to put patients/employee/military at ease a bit more if there is visible evidence that the base is trying to do the best that it can to help control infections.

A:  The base does not have an emergency fund to increase contracted custodial service. While we continue to consider realigning custodial service frequencies, we are weighing the benefits of increased cleaning with the risks of introducing additional building visits to confined spaces like restrooms where social distancing can be a challenging. As you may be aware, according to the CDC, “Based on what is currently known about the virus, spread from person-to-person happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets. Transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented.“ Nevertheless, last week the custodial contractor began to exclusively use an anti-viral cleaning solution on all surfaces, instead of reserving its use for frequently touched surfaces. Finally, as a side note, neither the clinic or the Fire Department are serviced by the base custodial contractor and both of these critical functions have implemented measures to prevent viral spread without introducing additional risk. We will continue to evaluate risks and benefits of increased custodial service with the health and safety of Hanscom personnel as our top priority.

Q: (continued) The risk of coming in with shifts or a few days a week will only potentially decrease the footprint in the secure area. Common surfaces still have to be touched every time someone comes in and out of the secure area. Not to mention the facility managers and Good Will janitors are not allowed into our actual work space which inhibits it to be cleaned properly. If I choose not to come in due to the health risk I now must take sick leave. While other base employees could easily work from home. I would like to know if there is a better plan for the individuals who work in the secure areas while prioritizing our health concerns.

A: Mission essential services required to meet national security commitments related to U.S. Military operations is on the Massachusetts exempt list.  See link and screen shot.  There is personal responsibility for folks to wipe down high contact surfaces within their workstations before using common terminals and before departing.  We can mitigate but not eliminate all risk. https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-essential-services/download

A: The installation commander has authorized Defense Department civilians who live in base housing and DoD civilians and DoD contractors who are mission essential and working on base to access the commissary and AAFES outlets. This does not authorize purchase of alcohol or tobacco. A signed memorandum is required for access during each visit. Mission essential DoD civilians and DoD contractors who are working on the base can request access through their supervisor and chain of command, which will be submitted through their unit control center (UCC). UCCs submitting requests or individuals in base housing without a local parent organization will email requests to the 66th Force Support Squadron UCC at 66FSS.-.UCC@us.af.mil courtesy copy Senior Master Sgt. Brian Tisdall at brian.tisdall@us.af.mil with the following information:

a.       Full Name (first name, middle initial, last name)

b.       Organization (e.g., 66 ABG/XP) or “base housing resident”

A: One out-of-state attendee of the New Horizons March 9-11 conference tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19).   Hanscom Public Health coordinated with Massachusetts Department of Public Health on the guidance sent out by AFCEA. All attendees should self-monitor for a 14 day period and if you develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, self-quarantine (sick at home) then contact your healthcare provider and advise that you may have been exposed to COVID-19. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Marriott hotel have been notified. Please visit the CDC website to stay up to date on the latest on the coronavirus - https://www.cdc.gov/.

What you should do: 

• If you are able to telework then do so, we are encouraging telework to the maximum extent possible for all Hanscom AFB personnel. 
• Self-Monitor:
  • Personnel should monitor themselves for symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Take temperature twice a day (morning and afternoon)
  • If symptoms develop, self-quarantine (sick at home) and contact healthcare provider for further guidance.  

Bottom Line: Mandatory quarantine at home for 14 days is not required for conference attendees.

A: The base dental clinic is seeing dental patients for emergency situations and to get people downrange only. All routine dental care has been turned off for the clinic and the clinic is following Air Force guidance. 

A: Individuals returning from international travel are placed in quarantine to monitor for symptoms for 14 days to protect the base and community. Testing without symptoms is not recommended at this time by the CDC. Hanscom AFB COVID-19 testing is aligned with the CDC and Massachusetts DPH protocols which is risk stratified. As the type of testing and availability increases, strategies and guidance will likely be updated. We continue to monitor this closely to implement any changes.

A: Foreign National (FN) visitors must be identity-proofed, vetted, have a valid need to access the installation, and be issued an installation access credential. This policy encompasses all HAFB assigned and tenant organizations, to include MIT Lincoln Laboratory and Massachusetts National Guard Joint Force Headquarters. Contact 66 SFS at 781-225-5614 three duty days prior to the arrival of the FN visitor to determine documentation required for the visit and to prevent extended wait times for processing. For further information, contact Security Forces at 781-225-5614.

A: We cannot foresee what circumstances may occur in the future, but movement to essential jobs would certainly be a priority.

A: We would not restrict movement for anyone requiring medical care.

A: Yes, families who are teleworking or have a spouse home and keep their children home from the Child Development Center will not be charged or will receive credit. Those families who children cannot go to the School Age program will also receive credit since it is closed.

A: If the prescription is activated via TRICARE Online the prescription will be ready for pick up in three duty days. If it is activated via the Pharmacy Line, pharmacy staff will let them know when it will be ready. You do not need to make an appointment to pick up prescriptions.   

Visit for a list of archived questions: https://www.hanscom.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/2127502/covid-19-qa-archive/.