PATUXENT RIVER, Maryland – NAS Patuxent River transitioned from Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Bravo Plus to HPCON Bravo as of 7 a.m. March 1, 2022. NAS Patuxent River joins other installations within Naval District Washington to shift back to HPCON Bravo as a result of falling COVID cases. Face masks are still required until further notice.
HPCONs are protocols for public health emergencies, such as a pandemic. Commanders review and update these HPCONs based on risk levels within a local community and in cooperation with local, state or host nation guidance. Military leaders and public health personnel use them to guide actions taken in response to a health threat. NDW changed the HPCON as a result of decreasing COVID-19 transmission in the National Capital Region. In addition to NAS Patuxent River, NDW installations transitioning to HPCON Bravo include Naval Support Activities Annapolis, South Potomac and Washington.
“We’ve seen a fall in cases over the last few weeks leading us and other Navy installations in the region to take the measure to move back in to HPCON Bravo,” said Capt. John Brabazon NAS Patuxent River commanding officer. “While COVID remains a concern to the safety of personnel, I’m encouraged by this trend of fewer cases and the efforts of our personnel and residents to vaccinate and adhere to other safety protocols leading to this HPCON shift.”
HPCON Bravo implementation will vary at each installation in the region, however, personnel across all NDW installations should continue to adhere to physical distancing protocols and wear face coverings. Personnel should continue to avoid unnecessary contact and stay home when sick. Unvaccinated personnel are still required to wear masks in all DoD spaces, and vaccinated personnel are advised to wear masks when in group settings. NAS Patuxent River personnel are instructed to keep their spaces at 50 percent capacity and continue to adhere to safety protocols such as frequent hand washing and social distancing.
Personnel who receive a positive COVID diagnosis, regardless of vaccination status, should stay at home for five days; if exhibiting no symptoms or symptoms resolve after five days personnel can return to work but must continue to wear a mask for an additional five days in accordance with current federal guidelines. Unvaccinated personnel exposed to a person with COVID should wear a mask for ten days and test on day five, regardless of whether they exhibit symptoms.
The Trusted Traveler Program remains in effect at NAS Patuxent River, and Gate 3 will remain open. Gate sentries will continue to check ID’s using the “no-touch” method.
For more information on Pax River’s MWR programs, visit https://www.navymwrpaxriver.com/covid-19-update . For more information on NAS Patuxent River, follow on social media at www.facebook.com/NASPaxRiver and https://twitter.com/NASPaxRiverPAO .