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Increased COVID Restrictions on the Pentagon Reservation

Image of Military personnel wearing a face mask. Properly wearing a mask helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Photo by: Staff Sgt. Anthony Agosti, 118th Wing, Tennessee Air National Guard).

Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases and positive test cases in the National Capital Region, the Pentagon Reservation will move to Health Protection Condition Bravo Plus (Bravo+) effective 5 a.m. EDT, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021.

Protecting our workforce while still performing our national security mission remains the Secretary of Defense’s number one priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. Supervisors will continue to provide maximum telework opportunities and flexible scheduling to optimize the workforce while defending our nation, taking care of our people, and ensuring success through teamwork.

HPCON Bravo+ includes the following measures, among others:

  • Service members, federal employees, onsite contractor employees, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, will wear a mask in indoor settings on the Pentagon Reservation;
  • Physical distancing remains at six feet for unvaccinated personnel;
  • DOD remains at maximum telework;
  • Organizations are expected to maintain occupancy rates at less than 40% of normal occupancy in workspaces;
  • Medically vulnerable personnel will continue to be permitted to self-declare their condition and pursue telework, when possible, with supervisors taking precautions to limit their exposure while in the workplace;
  • Use of the Pentagon Athletic Center remains by reservation only and will continue its current maximum user and staff population of 255 per 2 ½ hour session; 21 maximum occupancy at Mark Center Gym and 15 at Taylor/ Polk Building Gym per 2 ½ hour session; masking will be required regardless of vaccination status;
  • Random COVID-19 entrance screening of the workforce will continue at 10-20% levels, with 100% screening of visitors;
  • The Pentagon Reservation will remain closed to the public for tours, and the Pentagon National 9/11 Memorial will also remain closed with the exception of pre-approved 9/11 activities;
  • Gatherings on the Pentagon Reservation are limited to fewer than 25 persons and by six-foot distancing requirements, with masks required for indoor ceremonies regardless of vaccination status, including internal gatherings, meetings in conference centers, and gatherings for ceremonies;
  • Current COVID-19 approved open parking permits will be extended through September 30, 2021; and
  • Food court and concession options remain available with no options for indoor seating.

DOD remains committed to protecting our people, maintaining mission readiness, and supporting the whole-of-government effort response to COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccinations remain available through DiLorenzo Tricare Health Clinic including in support of the Secretary of Defense mandatory vaccinations for military Service members. Testing for those fully vaccinated who are exposed by close personal contact to a positive COVID-19 case, or who are symptomatic and believe they might have COVID, remain available at the DiLorenzo Tricare Health Clinic.

You can see the guidance memo from the Director of Administration & Management here.

For more information on the Pentagon Reservation response to COVID-19, visit https://www.whs.mil/Coronavirus/

We encourage all DOD personnel to visit https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus for information on staying healthy during the pandemic.

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