The Department of Defense has issued a decree that puts a stop to domestic travel for all service members, DoD civilians, and their families.
The announcement came via a memo released March 13. It is set to go into effect March 16 and last until May 11.
The travel restriction includes Permanent Change of Station and Temporary Duty and will also pause civilian hiring at DoD installations and components for persons who do not reside within the hiring entity’s local commuting area.
“These restrictions are necessary to preserve force readiness, limit the continuing spread of the virus, and preserve the health and welfare of Service members, DoD civilian employees, their families, and the local communities in which we live,” states the memo.
DoD did note, however, that travel exceptions may be granted for compelling cases where the travel is mission-essential, for humanitarian reasons, or warranted due to extreme hardship. Approval authority for these exceptions belongs to the Combatant Commander, the Service Secretaries, the Chief Management Officer, or the Director of the Joint Staff, but may be delegated.
The White House is also recommending that federal agencies stop all non-essential travel right now.
DoD Coronavirus Memo: Stop All Domestic Travel
