• If I have a COVID-19 base policy related question that is not listed here, whom should I contact?
  • Please contact your individual leadership, or 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs via email at 436aw.pa@us.af.mil or phone at (302) 677-3372. We also encourage you to follow the Dover Air Force Base Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DoverAirForceBase for additional updates.
  • For COVID-19 specific questions, please contact Public Health at 302-677-2564.
• What is Dover AFB’s current HPCON and is there still a public health emergency?
  • Dover Air Force Base is currently in Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Bravo+. 
• What is Dover AFB’s current policy for face coverings?
  • As of 31 July, all personnel on Dover AFB must wear a face covering when indoors, regardless of vaccination status. The following are the only exceptions to this rule:

1. When an individual is alone in an office with floor-to-ceiling walls with a closed door.

2. For brief periods of time when eating and drinking while maintaining distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines and instructions from commanders and supervisors.

3. When the mask is required to be lowered briefly for identification or security purposes.

4. When necessary to reasonably accommodate an individual with a disability.

5. When necessary to reasonably accommodate a religious belief.*

6. When underlying health conditions that prohibit the wear of a face covering exist and the individual is in possession of medical documentation from a health care provider outlining such a condition and the restrictions the condition places on wear of a face covering.

7. When outdoors and proper physical distancing of six feet can be maintained.

8. When actively participating in physical fitness activities either indoors or outdoors and either proper physical distancing of six feet is maintained or additional measures are implemented to mitigate the threat of transmission.**

9. When an individual is alone in a vehicle or is sharing the vehicle only with members of their household.

10. When use substantively interferes with the proper wear and use of personal protective equipment necessary for the accomplishment of one's military duties.

11. When personnel are in primary aircrew positions during critical phases of flight or emergencies; or when using flight crew oxygen equipment.

12. When clear or unrestricted visualization of verbal communication are essential to safe and effective operations.

* The Wing Chaplain’s Office is the POC for any unit leaders with a member (or members) requesting religious exemption to the mask requirements.

** The base fitness center currently requires masking indoors while using weightlifting equipment due to an inability to ensure physical distancing.

• To whom does Dover AFB’s face covering policy apply?
  • Dover AFB’s face covering policy applies to all total force military personnel, Department of Defense civilian employees, to include non-appropriated funded civilians, family members, DOD contractors and all other individuals on the installation.
• Am I required to observe physical distancing even while wearing a mask?
  • While it is encouraged for all, only those who are not fully vaccinated are required to physically distance in accordance with applicable CDC and DoD Force Health Protection guidance. Mask wear and social distancing should be practiced in combination with other everyday preventive actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands, and frequently washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• What facilities are available on Dover AFB?

  • The actions Team Dover continues to take for the safety of our fellow Airmen and the Dover community have allowed us to re-open facilities and begin transitioning to a new state of normalcy. Visit the FSS website for more info.
    • What is Dover AFB’s current policy for teleworking?
      • Dover AFB personnel deemed at risk should continue to telework to the extent possible and in coordination with their unit commander. If telework is deemed unsuitable, unit commanders are authorized to make other accommodations to ensure personnel safety.
    • What is the base’s current policy for indoor and outdoor gatherings?

      Aside from the 12 exceptions listed above, face coverings and six feet of physical distancing are required at all indoor gatherings on Dover AFB for non-vaccinated personnel.

    • In accordance with DoD and Air Force guidance, unit commanders (or functional equivalents) are authorized to allow up to 100% workplace occupancy, aligning with approved exemptions to HPCON Bravo+ occupancy limitations. Base members must also comply with the latest Delaware guidance for residential/private indoor gatherings, which can be found at https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/restrictions/.

    • What is the local leave area currently?
      • Military leave is required for travel outside the local area, currently defined as a six-hour travel radius from Dover AFB. Dover AFB personnel must continue to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19 while on leave.
    • If I feel sick or have COVID-19 symptoms, what should I do?
      • Stay home, notify your chain of command, and call the appointment line at 302-730-4633.

• Whom do I call if I think I was in close contact with a COVID-19 positive person?
  • Notify your supervisor and call the the 436th Medical Group Public Health Flight at (302) 677-2564 during regular business hours, Monday- Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The best way to protect yourself and others is to stay home for 10 days if you think you’ve been exposed to someone who has COVID-19.
     
• If I test positive for COVID-19, can I notify others with whom I believe I’ve been in close contact?  
  • Yes, we recommend that you notify potential close contacts as this will help public health with the contact tracing process.
     
• Who conducts contact tracing?
  • 436th Medical Group Public Health conducts the contract tracing. In addition to the Air Force Medical Service training, all public health staff members have completed the Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 Contract Tracing course, which provides a nuanced understanding of the science of COVID-19, the evidence for how the coronavirus is transmitted from person-to-person and why contact tracing is an effective public health intervention.  
     
• What if I test positive for COVID-19 and do not remember all of my close contacts in the initial contact tracing interview with public health?
  • 436th Medical Group Public Health relies on the member who tested positive to provide a list of close contacts. If the member subsequently remembers additional close contacts after the initial interview, he or she may call back and disclose this information. We encourage everyone to follow this policy and protect the personal health information of members of your unit.
     
• How does the contact tracing process work?
  • Upon notification of a positive COVID-19 patient, public health conducts an interview with the positive patient to determine the number of close contacts who were potentially exposed. Public health then notifies all close contacts and provides the 10-day quarantine orders to the unit commander, first sergeant and the individuals themselves.
     
• What is the definition of a close contact?
  • 436th Medical Group Public Health follows both the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for close contact determination. According to the CDC, a close contact is defined as someone who was within six feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from two days before illness onset (or for asymptomatic patients, two days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. The WHO also considers people who had direct physical contact with a probable or confirmed case, those providing direct care for a patient with probable or confirmed COVID-19 disease without using proper personal protective equipment, and other situations as indicated by local risk assessments.
     
• If I am exposed to someone who is COVID-19 positive while wearing a face covering, am I still considered a close contact?
  • Yes, wearing a face mask does not preclude you from consideration as a close contact. Wearing a face mask reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of transmission of COVID-19.

• What COVID-19 symptoms should I look for?
  • If you are sick with any of the following symptoms, stay home: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, chills, shaking with chills, headache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, loss of smell or taste. Other symptoms such as abdominal pain or lack of appetite have been identified as potential symptoms related to COVID-19 and may prompt further screening, action or investigation by a medical provider.
     
• When should I get tested?
  • Your healthcare provider will determine if testing is required based on the symptoms you are experiencing. Please call the appointment line at 302-730-4633 if you are concerned about possible COVID-19 symptoms.
  • You may alternatively get tested at any time off base if you would like to know your COVID-19 status. Visit the Delaware Coronavirus website for available testing locations throughout the state: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/
  • You are also required to be tested prior to official international travel.
     
• How do I get tested on base?
  • If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, please call the appointment line at 302-730-4633 and your provider team will determine if testing is required. If so, you will receive additional instructions for testing.
     
•  Who is eligible for on-base testing?
  • On-base testing is reserved for symptomatic patients, patients who require a negative test in preparation for a medical procedure as well as individuals traveling overseas who require a negative test prior to travel.
     
• If I receive a test on base, how will I be notified of my results, and when should I expect to receive those results?
  • You may obtain your results on TRICARE Online at https://www.tricareonline.com/tol2/prelogin/desktopIndex.xhtml at your convenience. Your provider will also notify you of your test result as needed. Each test type has a varying processing time but generally results are available within three to five business days.   
     
• Can I get tested off base?
  • Active-duty members can get tested off base in an emergency hospital department or elsewhere.
  • Visit the Delaware Coronavirus website for available testing locations throughout the state: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/
  • However, getting tested off base may result in delays in test results and additional time on isolation or quarantine orders. If a member is positive, they should report this to their primary care manager team as soon as possible for evaluation.
  • Dependents can also get tested off base at any time but are still recommended to notify their primary care manager team.
     
• Will Tricare cover the testing?
  • Yes. Tricare will cover testing when ordered by a primary care manager, urgent care or hospital emergency department.

• What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?
  • Isolation orders are issued to members who are either confirmed positive COVID-19 patients or symptomatic and awaiting test results. Quarantine orders are issued to members who are not currently symptomatic but are a confirmed close contact of a COVID-19 patient.
     
• How will I know if I am placed on quarantine or isolation orders?
  • Public health will verbally issue quarantine and isolation orders to members during the contact tracing interview. Public health typically generates and emails the orders to commanders, first sergeants and the individual within 24 hours. Orders for retired military members are emailed to personal email accounts.
     
• Can dependents and retired military members receive quarantine and isolation orders?
  • Public health does not issue quarantine and isolation orders to dependents. Public health issues quarantine and isolation orders to retired military members.
     
• If I receive isolation orders, what do I have to do?
  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
  • Monitor your symptoms. If you have any emergency warning signs, including trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake or bluish lips or face, seek emergency medical care immediately.
  • Stay in a separate room from other household members, if possible.
  • Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
  • Avoid contact with other members of the household and pets.
  • Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels and utensils.
  • Wear a mask when around other people.
     
• If I receive quarantine orders, what do I have to do?
  • Stay home for 10 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19
  • Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • You should not have person-to-person contact (contact within six feet) with any non-quarantine individuals especially people who are considered at risk for COVID-19.
  • Stay in a separate room from others in your household when possible to prevent possible infection should you become ill.  If you are unable to do so, maintain greater than a six-foot distance while wearing a mask in common areas
     
• If I’m on quarantine or isolation orders, can I exercise outdoors?  
  • No, you should stay inside your residence. Even with a mask you cannot exercise outdoors.
     
• If I’m on quarantine or isolation orders, can I do contactless grocery/other shopping? 
  • No. However, you may arrange for drop-off grocery and other service delivery to your home. Please contact your chain of command to make any additional required logistical arrangements.
     
• How am I released from isolation?
  • Your primary care manager team is responsible for authorizing your release from isolation and return to work. Typically, you will be on isolation for 10 days from symptom onset or 10 days from specimen collection for asymptomatic individuals. Your isolation orders will specify the last date to comply with isolation. Your isolation orders may be extended if your primary care team does not find you fit to return to work.  Criteria for release include:
    • At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND 
    • At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication AND 
    • Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving
       
• How am I released from quarantine?
  • Public health will inform you of your release date over the phone during your interview. Also, your quarantine release date will be annotated on your quarantine orders. You are to remain in quarantine for 10 days starting from your last day of exposure unless directed otherwise by public health or a medical provider.
     
• What can I expect for gate access if placed on isolation or quarantine orders?
  •  Members who are on isolation or quarantine orders will not be allowed to enter the base, both the operational and housing sides. After being removed from quarantine or isolation status, please contact the Dover AFB Visitors Center at (302) 677-3645 if you still do not have access to the installation.
     
• How often does public health contact members on quarantine/isolation orders?
  • Members are advised during quarantine and isolation interviews to self-monitor for symptoms and call the appointment line if symptoms develop at 302-730-4633.
     
• How often does the COVID-19 clinic provider communicate with patients on isolation orders? 
  • The patient will be contacted on the day public health is notified of a positive test result. The patient will be scheduled for an initial virtual appointment for the next day and for an evaluation on the 10th day of isolation. Further calls during the 10-day period are dependent on the clinical assessment of symptoms.  Patients are asked to call provider immediately for any new or worsening symptoms by calling the appointment line at 302-730-4633.
     
• How often does the COVID-19 clinic provider communicate with patients on quarantine orders?
  • Members on quarantine orders will be initially notified by public health and will have the opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns. Members on quarantine orders are encouraged to contact their primary care team at 302-730-4633 if they develop any COVID-19 symptoms.

• What is the mandate for COVID-19 vaccines?

  • From the 436 AW/CC: “The vaccination remains our best defense against the COVID-19 virus and your health is our priority. The work you all do is critical to the defense of this nation.  But first we must ensure your protection.  As such, our leaders have directed that all Airmen and Guardians be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Nov. 2 for Active Duty and Dec. 2 for Guard and Reserve personnel.  Your leadership team is ready to listen to your concerns and help answer any questions.  I’m honored to serve with this amazing team and proud of the way you rock the mission!”

    Service members are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after completing the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, or two weeks after receiving a single dose of a one-dose vaccine. This includes one or two-dose options authorized under EUA or full FDA approval.

    If you still have questions about the vaccine, medical professionals are standing by to help answer any of your concerns.  Those requesting exemptions are encouraged to do so now.

    Members may call 302-730-4633 to make an appointment.  Members can also receive vaccines off-base.

    Exemptions
    Service members have the option to apply for medical or administrative exemption, including religious accommodations. The process for obtaining exemptions for all mandatory vaccinations is provided in AFI 48-110_IP, Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases, for medical exemptions, and DAFI 52-201, Religious Freedom in the Department of the Air Force, for religious accommodations. No exemptions from the vaccine will be approved solely because Airmen and Guardians have an approved retirement or separation date.
    
    Vaccination non-compliance
    Any refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, absent an approved exemption or accommodation, may be punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Military commanders retain the full range of disciplinary options available to them under the UCMJ.​​​​

• What are the vaccine priority phases?
  • In line with the Department of Defense and the state of Delaware, Dover AFB is implementing a phased, standardized and coordinated strategy for prioritizing, distributing, and administering COVID-19 vaccines to protect our people, maintain readiness, and support the national COVID-19 response.
  • For specific information on the various phases, please see the prioritization graphic
• What phase are we in now?

  • Dover AFB is in Phase 2. Eligible Phase 2 members include the remaining population, including healthy uniformed personnel, other TRICARE beneficiaries and those eligible not otherwise mentioned in Phase 1. Phase 1a/b/c members will continue to receive vaccines if requested. For specific information on the various phases, please see the prioritization graphic.

• If either a family member or I am eligible to get vaccinated off base, can I do so or do I need to get vaccinated on base?

  • If you are eligible to get the vaccine off base, please do so. Afterward, please bring a copy of your vaccination form to the immunizations clinic for record.

  • For those eligible to receive the vaccine off base, VaccineFinder helps people find the latest information on COVID-19 vaccine availability at certain providers and pharmacies in some states. For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/reporting/vaccinefinder/about.html

• What vaccine is currently available at Dover AFB?
  • At this time, the 436th Medical Group has both the the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.
• Who should not receive the vaccine?
  • You should not get the vaccine if you have had any of the following:
    • A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of this vaccine or to any ingredient of this vaccine. These ingredients include: lipid content (SM-102, polyethylene glycol [PEG] 2000 dimyristoyl glycerol [DMG], cholesterol, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC]), tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride, acetic acid, sodium acetate, and sucrose.
    • Immediate allergic reaction to polysorbate
    • Immediate allergic reaction (hives, facial swelling, respiratory distress) of any severity to a prior COVID Vaccine or any component
  • Additionally, you should not receive the vaccine if you have received any other vaccination within the past 14 days or if you have received treatment of COVID-19 with monoclonal antibody or convalescent serum within the past 90 days.
• Who should get vaccinated against COVID-19?
  • This Moderna mRNA vaccine is authorized for people 18 years of age and older including pregnant women, lactating women and immunocompromised individuals.
• What is the benefit of receiving the  vaccine?
  • Trials studied over 30,000 patients and showed a 94% efficacy rate of protection against COVID-19 disease after completion of a two-dose series. This vaccination protects you against a virus known to cause significant long term side effects such as chronic lung damage, heart muscle damage, blood clots, strokes and numerous other comorbidities that have been linked to COVID-19.
• How will the vaccine be administered?
  • The vaccine is given in your upper arm as a two-dose series with the shots separated by 28 days. You will receive information about the date of your second dose upon receipt of your first dose.
• What side effects can I expect after my vaccination?

  • Adverse reactions are similar to other immunizations and may include swelling, pain, redness and tenderness at the injection site. General side effects include fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, fever, chills, lymph node swelling, nausea and vomiting are possible and are more likely to occur after the second dose of the immunization. These side effects are expected as a normal response and a sign that your body is creating antibodies to protect you from COVID-19. Additional adverse reactions may become apparent with more widespread distribution of the vaccines.

    We encourage you to register for the V-Safe health checker program, a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins from the CDC to vaccine recipients. Depending on your answers, someone from the CDC may call to check on you, but please still contact your primary care team for any additional concerns. For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/vsafe.html

• Do I stay home if I have side effects from the shot?
  • If your symptoms are severe, concerning, could be confused for COVID-19 infection (fever, cough) or limit your ability to perform your duties, then you should stay home and seek appropriate medical care.
  • Symptoms would be expected to resolve within 48 hours. For persistent symptoms, please contact your primary care manager team at 302-730-4633.
• What if I am not available to get my vaccine shot on the 28th day following my first dose?
  • The second dose should be administered as close to the recommended interval as possible (28 days for Moderna and 21 days for Pfizer vaccines). However, if it is not feasible to adhere to the recommended interval, the second dose may be scheduled for administration up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose. There are currently limited data on efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines administered beyond this window.
• How will I know when I am fully vaccinated? ​
  • According to the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second shot in a two-dose vaccine series (such as the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines) or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine (such as Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine).  
  • ​For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html​​
• If I am fully vaccinated, will I have to quarantine after being potentially exposed to a COVID-19 patient?
  • The 436th Medical Group Public Health is responsible for issuing quarantine orders.
  • If public health determines that you meet the following three criteria, you may not be required to quarantine:
    • - Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine)
    • - Are within 3 months following receipt of the last dose in the series
    • - Have remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure
  • However, if you are not required to quarantine, you should still monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days following the exposure and alert your healthcare team if symptoms develop.
  • If you do not meet all three criteria, you will be required to follow all quarantine guidance.
  • Fully vaccinated personnel must continue to follow additional interventions such as mask wearing, hand washing and physical distancing.
  • This update does not apply to other travel, deployment related restriction of movement requirements, or host nation requirements at this time.

• How does the mRNA technology work?

  • mRNA technology was discovered over 30 years ago and has been studied for vaccine purposes for nearly two decades. Scientists have actually been working on a coronavirus vaccine since the SARS and MERS outbreaks in 2002 with vaccine trials published by 2008.

  • The instructions inside the vaccine trigger the body’s cells to create and display a protein on its surface. Our immune system recognizes that the protein doesn’t belong there and begins making antibodies. After developing these antibodies, our immune system has learned how to protect against future infection.

  • mRNA vaccines cannot give someone COVID-19 nor do they affect or interact with DNA.

• How many shots of COVID-19 vaccine do I need?​​

  • It depends. Currently, the Janssen vaccine (also known as the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) requires only a single shot. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two shots given at least 21 days (for Pfizer) and 28 days (for Moderna) apart. If the pandemic continues, people may need additional shots (boosters) in the future, similar to how booster shots are needed to protect against other diseases. At this time booster shots are not approved or given.