If you are a Military Member or Spouse experiencing *flu-like symptoms, you may expect the following precautionary measures during your visit at the 97th Medical Group.

Civilian members should visit their doctor or local hospital, but should call ahead for local procedures. 

If you have an appointment or need to see a medical professional, you are urged to call ahead of time for any local procedures.

The Flu clinic will be open Sat and Sun from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m until further notice. This is a walk-in clinic for those with only flu-like symptoms.  No routine services will be preformed over the weekend. Before seeking care, call ahead to the after-hours 97 MDG Health Care Provide Advice line at 580-649-5809.

In the spirit of social distancing, there will be limited routine visits in order to maximize the abilities to treat sick patients till the end of the month. Please re-schedule all non-acute visits at 481-5235.

The clinic now has a single point of entry that will be monitored at all times. Upon entering you will be asked the following:

1.     Have you traveled outside of Oklahoma or the Altus area in the past 14 days?

2.     Have you been in close contact with a person who has confirmed positive COVID-19 infection or someone who is currently being tested for COVID-19?

3.     Have you yourself received a COVID-19 test?

There's a new waiting area for 97MDG patients with flu-like symptoms

The Radiology waiting area will be re-designated as the waiting area for patients with flu-like symptoms. Please follow all instructions posted as you enter the building.  As a precaution, patients will be seen in exam rooms dedicated to those exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Staff members will deliver any prescription medicines to patients with flu-like symptoms in exam rooms. You will not need to wait at the pharmacy to pick them up. Patients needing X-Rays will access radiology through the Optometry/Lab waiting area. Remember to wash your hands with soap to help stop the spread of germs. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or upper sleeve when you cough or sneeze and avoid touching your face.

*FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS INCLUDE FEVER AND COUGH OR SHORTNESS OF BREATH

DOD INSTRUCTIONS:

A DoD stop movement order has been issued for all DoD personnel. The stop movement applies to all forms of official travel, such as permanent change of station, temporary duty and government-funded leave for uniformed and civilian personnel and includes personal leave and other non-official travel for uniformed personnel. This is effective March 16 through May 11, 2020.  Statement by the Department of Defense on Domestic Travel Restrictions

MILITARY PERSONNEL:

Effective 15 May 2020, at 1630L, the local area for all military personnel assigned or attached to Altus AFB, including individuals assigned to tenant units located on Altus AFB and individuals TDY to Altus AFB, for the purpose of leave and pass days (including weekends), is defined as a 150-mile radius from Altus AFB. Military members are reminded that the policies and directives contained throughout this memorandum, including but not limited to, off-limits  areas and gathering limitations, apply no matter how fr members travel from Altus AFB.  Minor exceptions to my definition of the local area will be granted no lower than the group commander/director of staff level, on a case-by-case basis. Nothing in this order is intended to impact the Department of Defense's Stop Movement orders, including the exceptions for mission-essential, humanitarian reasons, or undue hardship. Leave outside of what may reasonably be considered the local area must be routed to 19 AF/CC for approval.

DOD CIVILIAN PERSONNEL or FAMILY MEMBERS:

Effective 16 March 2020, DoD civilian personnel or Family Members, are not permitted to engage in government-funded travel including PCS and TDY.  Personnel who commenced travel for PCS or TDY prior to 16 March 2020 may continue to their final destination.  Individuals who are currently TDY are authorized to return to their home station upon completion of the TDY or earlier if recalled by their home-station commander.  Additionally, patients and medical providers are authorized to travel for the purpose of medical treatment for DoD personnel and their family members.  Finally, there is a pause on civilian hiring at all DoD installations for persons who do not reside within the hiring entity’s local commuting area. 

BASE TOURS:

Due to the uncertainty regarding COVID-19, the Department of the Air Force is suspending public outreach activities and support to community events both CONUS and OCONUS (as covered in AFI 35-105) through 15 May. This suspension includes, but is not limited to, on-base and civilian-sponsored airshows, band performances and community engagements and meetings which involve large gatherings (speaking engagements, community meetings on installations, base tours, Pentagon visits, etc.).

We will continue to support funeral flyovers on a case-by-case basis across the country. We will reevaluate the situation on an ongoing basis and will provide further guidance as we move forward. This guidance is not intended to preclude our leaders from meeting or coordinating with local and community officials. Exceptions to this policy should be run through the MAJCOM/PAs to SAF/PA.

As well, we are here to serve and support our Air & Space Forces community during this crisis and please let me know how we can help with any communication issue or requirement.

SERVICE MEMBER CIVIL RELIEF ACT:

With the DoD’s Stop Movement as a result of the spread of COVID-19, questions have arisen regarding the Service Member Civil Relief Act’s (SCRA’s) applicability to (1) individuals with pre-paid travel/leisure reservations and (2) individuals who already invoked SCRA to terminate a lease.  SCRA applies to specific, limited circumstances regarding when servicemembers may terminate, the process to terminate and remedies available to the servicemember.  Servicemembers have rights under SCRA when they terminate:  installment contracts, mortgages, residential/motor vehicle leases or telephone service contracts.  If a member falls under the categories listed above, they may have rights to which they could terminate, without a fee, under SCRA.

Service members, dependents, and retirees in need of legal assistance regarding these issues should contact the Altus AFB Legal Office at (580) 481-7294.

1. However, SCRA is not as available to a member regarding termination of personal travel (airlines, hotels, cruises etc.).  In light of the DoD Stop Movement, 97 AMW servicemembers who had travel plans should review the applicable companies’ cancellation policies to assess what remedies are available.  In light of the declared national emergency and social-distancing measures being implemented throughout the country, it is possible that travel and leisure companies may be understanding in these circumstances.  Nevertheless, the method of reimbursement may be limited by what is stated in the companies’ cancellation policies at the time of booking.  The DoD Stop Movement Order is an official military order that can be provided to your travel agency when negotiating reimbursement.
2. The question has also arisen as to whether SCRA protects someone who has already used their orders to invoke the termination of a lease, but cannot PCS while the stop movement order is in effect.  Unfortunately, there is no separate SCRA protection helping servicemembers undue their invocation of SCRA rights.  In other words, if a servicemember has terminated a lease in anticipation of PCSing, there is no SCRA right to undue this action.  The servicemember’s best recourse if they do not want to have to leave their home is to reach out to the landlord and negotiate reinstating the lease.

LATEST TRAVEL ADVISORIES:

Travel.State.Gov

CDC

Off-Limits Areas: Military personnel are prohibited from entering any/all off-base bars, breweries, ightclubs, and/or similar establishments. 

Military personnel are permitted to dine-in at restaurants that are in compliance with Oklahoma's Open Up and Recover Safely plan requirements for social distancing or sanitation. Personnel are expected to leave any restaurant that is not following social distancing and sanitation requirements. Personnel are also permitted to utilize restaurants' drive-through services, but should utilize heightened hand hygiene procedures when doing so.

Civilian employees and family members of 97 AMW personnel are highly encouraged to follow these guidelines to protect their own health and safety and that of our Airmen. 

On Base: Official gatherings (e.g., staff meetings, guard mount, training,testing) may include up to 20 people, so long as the gathering space allows individuals to remain at least six feet apart from other individuals throughout the gathering. 

Chapel Services: Chapel services may include up to 50 people. Individual and family social distancing of at least six feet must be maintained thro'ughout the event, to the maximum extent possible. 

Outdoor Gatherings: Outdoor gatherings, for any purpose, may_include up to 50 people. All attendees at such gatherings must remain at least six feet apart from all other individuals who are not a member of their household throughout the gathering. 

All Other Gatherings: With the exception of activities under paragraph 4.a (1)-(3), no gathering on the installation will exceed 10 people. This includes gatherings by military personnel, civilian employees, contractors, commercial operators, retirees, dependents, and visitors to Altus AFB. 

Off Base: Military personnel are prohibited from gatherings off the installation in excess of 10 people. When attending off-base gatherings, military personnel must practice individual or family social distancing of at least six feet. TDY s and other off-installation formal trainings or Air Force sanctioned activities are excluded from this limitation. 

 Military personnel may attend off-base church services of any size at churches that are in compliance with Oklahoma's Open Up and Recover Safely plan requirements for row/pew closures, social distancing, and sanitation. Personnel are expected to leave any church service that is not following row/pew closure, social distancing, or sanitation requirements. Additionally, military personnel must maintain social distancing, both before and after services, and wear a cloth face covering until seated for the service. This authorization to attend church services of any size applies only to the religious service itself and not to church-sponsored social or civic activities. 

Civilian personnel and family members are highly encouraged to follow these
guidelines and to practice individual or family social distancing when attending any gathering. 

The following protective measures must be followed for all on-base gatherings:

(1) All attendees must wash their hands or use hand sanitizer immediately before or upon entering the gathering location.
(2) To the maximum extent possible, individuals must remain two meters (six feet) apart from other individuals throughout the gathering.During any time that individuals are not able to maintain social distancing, no matter how brief, those 
individuals are required to wear cloth facial coverings.
(3) All attendees must wash their hands or use hand sanitizer immediately before or upon exiting the gathering location.(4) Exceptions to gathering limitations may be granted on a case-by-case basis at the group
commander level. Individuals requesting exceptions to policy must have a detailed plan to mitigate risk throughout the gathering, including during ingress and egress. 

CLOTH FACE COVERINGS:

On 8 April 2020, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness published supplemental Force Health Protection Guidance (reference (d)). Pursuant to this order, to the maximum extent practical, all individuals on Altus AFB are required to wear cloth face coverings when they cannot maintain six feet of social distance in public areas or work centers. The Commissary and BX are public areas in which individuals inherently cannot maintain six feet of social distance; therefore, cloth face coverings are required to be worn by all individuals in those facilities. 

Cloth face coverings shall extend above the nose without interfering with eyewear, and below the chin to cover the mouth and nostrils completely. It shall fit snugly but comfortably against the sides of the face and be secured (e.g., by being tied in place or with ear-loops). Cloth face coverings shall be laundered regularly to maintain good hygiene. Military personnel should wear cloth face coverings that are neutral in color. 

Effective 1600L on April 17,2020 Altus AFB is open to all personnel with base access.

Current long-term visitor passes will continue to be honored. Current short-term visitor passes will be invalid as of 5 April 2020 at 1700L, unless an exception to policy is granted by the host’s squadron commander. All future visitor pass requests will be assessed and approved by the squadron commander in a manner consistent with the intent of this policy.

As you enter the gate, please hold onto your ID card and show the back barcode to the Security Forces Defender. He or she will scan your ID card and allow entrance onto the installation.

Members will be checking temperatures and performed medical evaluations for those entering base through the Main Gate.

These new procedures will help reduce the amount of contact between one another. As always, please follow the Defenders' instructions.

We must all work together to reinforce social distancing guidance across Altus AFB. The attached graphic illustrates how social distancing helps reduce exposure to infection. Social distancing and good health practices include:

Avoid individual interactions at distances closer than 2 meters (6 feet) for non-household members.

Utilize alternative means instead of face-to-face interaction when possible.

When not required to be at work, stay home as much as possible.

Minimize the number and frequency of people in your home and workspace.

Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after touching commonly used items in a public place, or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid shaking hands.

Cover your coughs and sneezes with the crook of your elbow.

Wipe down commonly touched items with disinfecting products.

• ALL FACILITIES

Units throughout the wing were previously directed to reduce the number of individuals reporting in-person to work on a daily basis to the minimum necessary to maintain mission. operations. Ample risk mitigation measures are in effect throughout the base to prevent community spread on the installation; therefore, it is appropriate to return the workforce to normal operations on Altus AFB. Beginning 20 April 2020, all units began incrementally bringing all individuals back to work on the installation. Units shall have all personnel back in normal duty status no later than 4 May 2020.

Military personnel will remain on stand-by and/or telework status until brought back into normal duty status. Civilian employees will continue to telework or remain on Weather/Safety Leave when no other leave status is more appropriate for the individual situation, until brought back into normal duty status. Weather/Safety Leave is no longer authorized for COVID-19, effective 4 May 2020. 

• A&FRC

  Appointments only, please call 580 481-6761

• BASE EXCHANGE

  -Shoppette: hours remain the same,

  -The Main Exchange: is operating currently from 9:00 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday- Friday and 10:00 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Sunday. The use of the fitting rooms are currently suspended.

  -Altus Barber Shop: Open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

   

• BASE THEATER

The theater is limited to 50 attendees, customers can stop by the FCC to pick up “tickets”

• BOWLING ALLEY

  Lanes open Friday 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and normal hours Saturday and Sunday, 4 customers per lane (exceptions for families, limited to every other lane use

• CHAPEL

  To benefit from this opportunity, we need each attendee to honor the following “Big 3” rules:

Remain 6-feet apart or wear mask when unable; **Please bring a mask for each individual**

Clean hands plus avoid common areas & touching your face

Stay home if you don’t feel well.

To further prevent possible contamination, the following safeguard will be taken:

Electronic Offerings *only* (no cash);

Communion (when offered) will be served by sanitary individual kits by a masked rep. with washed, gloved hands;

No Nursery or Children’s Church (in keeping with OK Safe Open Plan Phases 1 & 2);

No mingling before, during or after worship;

No bulletins or hymnals (Slides Only); and

No bibles (Bring own or use Smartphone App).

• CHARLIE’S

  This facility is closed until further notice.

• COMMISSARY

  The base has imposed purchase limits on certain food/consumable items at the commissary. The following items will be limited to two of each per family: Fresh/Frozen Chicken, Pork, Beefs and eggs.

  There will be 100% I.D. card checks at the entrance of all stores and no visitors will be allowed entrance.  There will be no more "early bird" shopping hours to allow more time for cleaning and re-stocking of our stores. 

  Starting March 26, the commissary will has senior shopping hours from 2 p.m.-3 p.m.

• EDUCATION CENTER

  Facility is taking appointments by telephone consults only.

• FCC

  No ticket services, playground is closed and escape room is closed.

• FINANCE CUSTOMER SERVICE

  Has returned to normal operations, walk in hours are Monday - Friday 0830-1600

• FITNESS CENTER

  Monday - Friday 0800 - 1100 and 1800 - 2000, Sat - Sun 0800 - 1800.

• HANGAR 97

   Hangar 97 will remain open to base personnel for carry out only.

  Went to single point entry and customers must wash hands before entering or service will be denied. The salad bar is closed to eliminate customer touch points so only pre-made salads are available. Soups and hot cereals have been moved to main line to eliminate customer touch points. Eliminated all customer touch points; coffee, chips, silverware, fruits, condiments, etc. has been moved behind the serving line. Everything is available, customer must request. Drink refills are not authorized.

• JUDGE ADVOCATE

  Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  (580)481-7294/ DSN 866-7294, 97amw.ja@us.af.mil

  Services Provided:

  Commanders & Mission Support - full spectrum

  Legal assistance - telephonic

  Wills drafting - telephonic/email

  WIlls execution - only for depoyers and exigent  circumstances *

  Notary services - only for depoyers and exigent  circumstances *

  *Exigent circumstances include having a heightened risk for COVID-19 morbidity

   

• LIBRARY

​- Library staff with coordinate for curb side pick up only

- Customers can access the online database and call the library to place order for 5 items at a time, located here.

- information will be available on the Library and FSS Facebook pages

• MEDICAL GROUP

  See the module labeled “97TH MEDICAL GROUP TEMPORARY CHANGES.”

• OUTDOOR RECREATION

  This facility is closed until further notice.

• PERSONNEL FLIGHTS

  Military Personnel Flight: Walk ins are accepted for CAC/ID appointments.

  Civilian Personnel: appointment only.

  Employed stop movement order for those scheduled to PCS. Anyone with a Projected Departure Date in March, date was pushed to 11 May. Basic Military Training and Technical School students are considered mission-essential and must move on to their next duty station. If you have a Technical Training Graduate they will arrive as scheduled. Permanent change of station, separation, and retirement message pushed out to leadership.

• PUBLIC AFFAIRS

  No Walk-in services until further notice, except in case of emergencies. All scheduled studio appointments are for essential or time sensitive reasons only. A public affairs representative can be reached by phone at (580)481-7700 or by email at 97amw.pa@us.af.mil. Please follow the Altus Air Force Base Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.

• YOUTH CENTER

  No open rec. during this time. All patrons including children must wear a mask covering their nose and chin.

• WINDY TRAILS GOLF COURSE

  Walk course only.

1st Live-Stream dated, Mar 16th:  Part one, Start time 3:10 & Part two, Start time 1:36

2nd Live-Stream dated, Mar 20th: Start time 4:34

3rd Live-Stream dated, Mar 22: Start time  2:35

Commander Update, Mar 30: Click Here

4th Live-Stream dated, April 2: Start Time 4:15

5th Live-Steam dated, April 5: Start Time 3:59

6th Live-Steam dated, April 19: Start Time 2:08

On 8 April 2020, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness published supplemental Force Health Protection Guidance. Pursuant to this order, to the maximum extent practical, all individuals on Altus AFB are required to wear cloth face coverings when they cannot maintain six feet of social distance in public ·areas or work centers. The Commissary and BX are public areas in which individuals inherently cannot maintain six feet of social distance; therefore, cloth face coverings are required to be worn by all individuals in those facilities. 

Cloth face coverings shall extend above the nose without interfering with eyewear, and below the chin to cover the mouth and nostrils completely. It shall fit snugly but comfortably against the sides of the face and be secured (e.g., by being tied in place or with ear-loops). Cloth face coverings shall be laundered regularly to maintain good hygiene. Military personnel should wear cloth face coverings that are neutral in color. 

For additional guidance regarding acceptable cloth face coverings and for exception to policy procedures.

CDC Guidelines:

Recommendation Regarding the Use of Cloth Face Coverings

Cloth Face Coverings: Questions and Answers

Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19​