Q. What is the 2019 Novel Coronavirus?
A. The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China.

Q. How does the virus spread?
A. Much is unknown about how 2019-nCoV, a new coronavirus, spreads. Current knowledge is largely based on what is known about similar coronaviruses. It is likely that the virus originally emerged from an animal source and now can be spread from person-to-person. Most often, person-to-person spread of the virus happens among close contacts (about 6 feet). Person-to-person spread is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so. Learn what is known about the spread of newly emerged coronaviruses at https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html.

Q. What should I do if I think I have coronavirus?
A. While 2019-nCoV poses a serious public health threat, CDC believes the immediate risk to the U.S. public continues to be low at this time. If you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and have traveled to China or were in close contact with someone with 2019-nCoV in the 14 days before you began to feel sick, seek medical care. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms. Military Treatment Facilities have provided guidance on how to address such circumstances. 

Q. Is it safe to travel to China?
A. The Department of State recently adjusted the travel advisory for China to Level 4, meaning individuals should not travel there. The commander of U.S Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), in support of the U.S. Department of State's Level 4 Travel Advisory, has restricted all DOD travel to the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Q. What should DOD Civilians do if they believe they may have contracted Coronavirus?
A. Employees should be seen by his/her Primary Care Manager if exposure is a possibility and there are symptoms. Moreover, assuming the person is symptomatic AND unable to perform official duties, he or she should take sick leave. If the person is symptomatic and able to perform official duties, in a position where telework is authorized, and has a signed telework agreement, then he/she could telework.

Q. Why is DOD involved with the coronavirus response?
A. The Defense Department is supporting our interagency partners by housing passengers during their 14-day quarantine period. Health Security is a pillar of national security, and DoD has an important role in supporting the implementation of the federal quarantine orders and ensuring the safety of those evacuating to the United States, as well as those on our base and in our communities.

Q. Who is being evacuated?
A. The individuals being evacuated from China are U.S. citizens and exempted persons (immediate family members of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents of the U.S.). These individuals are not currently known to be ill, and are being screened before leaving and upon arrival to the U.S. They will be quarantined for 14 days and carefully monitored to ensure they do not become ill with coronavirus before being released. Many of these individuals are leaving a challenging situation in China, and our focus will be to support and help deliver a safe and dignified transition into the United States. We stand ready to help these individuals while ensuring the safety of all Americans.

Q. Why was JBSA-Lackland chosen, despite its weekly influx of visitors and growing surrounding community of San Antonio?
A. JBSA-Lackland was chosen by the DOD because it has the resources required to meet the needs of this effort. JBSA has some of the largest lodging capacity in the DOD, including the most single rooms without shared bathrooms, space to isolate quarantined passengers from the rest of the installation and local population, and easy access to world-class medical facilities in the San Antonio community. In addition, JBSA-Lackland has a flight line within DOD secured boundaries capable of receiving a large commuter aircraft. JBSA is able to provide the support requested without negatively impacting readiness or critical operations, as well as Team JBSA's history of providing humanitarian support and shelter to persons displaced by natural disasters. JBSA and the San Antonio community have a long reputation for partnership, and we will continue to work together to ensure quarantined U.S. residents are kept safe and secure until they are released by HHS/CDC and able to resume their lives. 

Q. How were people in the surrounding areas of the bases notified of the incoming flights?
A. On Feb. 1, at the direction of the Secretary of Defense, JBSA-Lackland was one of four installations selected to assist the Department of Health and Human Services for lodging individuals traveling from overseas due to the novel coronavirus. JBSA released a statement on the request to support HHS, as well as base leadership contacted civic leaders, via email, in the San Antonio and surrounding areas after the SECDEF announcement. The base is working closely with HHS and CDC officials, and information will be provided as soon as available.  

Q. What role does HHS/CDC play in the evacuation process?
A. CDC’s goal is to complete the health screening and quarantine activities in a manner that safeguards the health and safety of all passengers and the people of the United States. The Federal Quarantine Order will last for at least 14 days from when a person was last in an area where the virus was being spread. CDC medical professionals repeatedly check passengers for symptoms such as: fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. CDC will also ask a series of questions about each passenger’s health and risk of exposures to others with the 2019 novel coronavirus. If a passenger begins to experience symptoms (fever, coughing, or difficulty breathing) while in quarantine, the individual will be evaluated regarding the need for further treatment or transportation to a local healthcare facility.

Q. Why is Basic Military Training still in effect?
A: Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander, Air Education and Training Command, declared Basic Military Training (BMT), technical training, and flight training as mission essential. Training in the “non” mission essential category is suspended. In order to meet Air Force requirements around the world, we must continue training. These are unprecedented times, with the situation evolving daily. Leaders at every level are making continuous assessments in order to protect the force’s health and safety.

Q. Can I still attend my loved ones BMT graduation events?
A. Out of an abundance of caution, JBSA officials will suspend all guest attendance for mass gatherings that are not deemed mission essential, to include basic military training (BMT) graduation ceremonies and BMT coining ceremonies to reduce potential spread of COVID-19. JBSA officials will continue to monitor and discuss the situation with medical experts to determine when guest attendance at graduation events will resume. 

In the meantime, BMT graduations will be live-streamed on the USAF Basic Military Training Facebook page: @USAFBMT and will be archived for later viewing on the 37th Training Wing YouTube Channel.

Q. Why is BMT graduation now on Thursday?
A. During the COVID-19 pandemic, BMT graduations will take place on Thursday to allow Airmen to begin transitioning to technical training on Friday, freeing up space on the BMT campus. This allows the 37th Training Wing team to have additional cleaning time of the dormitories.  

Q. Are new trainees still arriving to Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio?
A. Yes, the 37th Training Wing will continue to receive the arrival of new trainees. Along with implementing a restriction of movement (ROM) for 14 days upon arrival, BMT has begun screening all recruits and will monitor every member during their time at BMT for symptoms. (They are also screened at their Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) prior to shipment.)

This 14-day ROM does not impact the trainee’s graduation date or time at BMT. It still remains 8.5 weeks, as BMT leadership is looking at creative ways of accomplishing the required curriculum to allow trainees to graduate on time.

Schedules have been adjusted to reduce interaction with other flights and have increased cleaning measures across all components. We are working with our medical and support experts to ensure our Airmen are protected to the maximum extent possible. For more information: Latest Air Force trainees continue BMT with enhanced mitigation efforts.

Q: If there is a positive case in BMT, what will be the response and decontamination process?
A:  If a trainee tests positive for COVID-19, the medical community will conduct contact tracing and identify all areas which were impacted. These areas will undergo extensive professional cleaning.  

The positive trainee will receive the required medical care and other trainees who were exposed to that member will be placed in a 14-day quarantine and monitored for symptoms. Once they clear the incubation period without symptoms under quarantine, they can return to training.

Q: Are trainees going to be allowed to call home?
A: Yes, effective March 23, 2020, all trainees, regardless of week of training will be allowed to call home weekly to update family members on their status.

Q: Will Air National Guard and Reserve recruits be able to return home after graduating Basic Military Training?
A:  Yes, we will adhere to the established policies by the Air National Guard and Reserve for trainees to return home.

Q. Why is tech training continuing during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A:  We understand the concerns being expressed for the safety of all those attending technical training at JBSA. At this time, Air Education and Training Command has deemed technical training to be mission essential and will continue on as planned.  

We take the safety and well-being of our personnel and trainees very seriously and will continue to re-evaluate as needed.  Please visit the following link for more information on AETC mission-essential training the following article: AETC issues official COVID-19 mission essential training determination, authorizes travel​.

Q. How will Airmen get to technical training while mitigating travel risks?
A.  BMT works with each technical training location to move Airmen in a variety of transportation means. All departing Airmen receive a pre-departure health, morale, welfare and safety briefing from leadership to ensure the latest DoD travel protocols are being met. These briefings are modified as needed to mitigate risk as the situation changes. 

Q:  Will students in technical training be allowed off base, or have their family visit?
A:  The Airman’s new squadrons will provide them an update on the ability to travel off base or have visitors come to visit based on the direction of the installation commander and DOD guidance. This determination is based on the priority of keeping them safe and the completion of their technical training requirements.

Q: What is the process for Airmen graduating technical training and PCSing to their first duty station?
A. All technical training and specialized undergraduate pilot training graduates currently in technical training, will continue to out-process and travel to their first duty station upon completion of training. 

Upon graduation for both technical training and flying training students, losing units will coordinate with the gaining units to work specific mitigation and travel issues as needed.  Overseas travel will be coordinated in accordance with DoD guidelines.

Q. Will I be able to attend my Airman’s technical training graduation?
A. Out of an abundance of caution, JBSA officials will suspend all guest attendance for mass gatherings that are not deemed mission essential, including technical training graduation. In addition, technical training graduations are not streamed to the public. Regardless of this restriction, we can assure you they will be celebrated within their units.

Q:  What is the process for testing sick Airmen in technical training?
A:  As determined by medical professionals, technical training Airmen are being tested for COVID-19 if they are symptomatic. Once tested, the Airmen are placed in isolation for 24 to 48 hours until their test results are returned.  During that time food and essentials are provided to our Airmen. Airmen are routinely checked on and have access to their personal items, including cell phones, so they can make contact with their family.
 

Q:  Is there anything in place to keep service-members who are mission-essential from coming home and potentially putting their families at risk?
A:  Yes. The 37th Training Wing is in the process of identifying Instructor Cadre, Military Training Leaders, and Animal Caretakers who can temporarily relocate to on-base quarters. This would be a temporary relocation that is at no cost to the member.