COVID-19/Coronavirus 

U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC) 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

27 March 2020 

1 

Situation 

Based on the Secretary of Defense’s 60-day Stop Movement directive, the Army has 

temporarily halted – from 16 March through May 11 – most Permanent Change of Station 

travel for Soldiers, Department of the Army Civilians and Family members traveling to, 

from or through locations designated by the CDC as Travel Health Notice Level 3 (the worst 

level). The DoD international travel ban expires 24 May 2020. 

Current CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice countries experiencing widespread, ongoing 

transmission of COVID-19 include: South Korea, Italy, Germany and other nations in Europe 

(see complete list below). 

PCS Travel Guidance 

Soldiers, Department of the Army Civilians (DACs), and their family members that have 

signed out of a CONUS installation enroute to a CONUS location will continue PCS 

movement. 

3⁄4 If signed out of unit, the losing unit must place traveler in TDY status (not TLE/TLA status) 

to allow per diem and lodging support funding. Traveler coordinates with losing unit for DD 

Form 1610 ‘Request and Authorization for TDY travel of DoD Personnel’ authorizing TDY in 

route at the current location for a 10 day window (window can be longer based on 

local assessment of ETP timeline). 

3⁄4 Soldier uses new DD Form 1610 in conjunction with orders to sign out of post and be placed 

on a TDY in route status. "Awaiting travel" status should be specified on DD Form 1610. If 

necessary, losing unit helps Soldier file additional 1610s until ETP 

is approved. If necessary, losing unit helps Soldier file interim TDY payments to 

relieve burden on Soldier and pay government travel card. 

3⁄4 Soldiers who are not at their assigned unit, and DO NOT require per diem or lodging 

support can also be placed in a TDY "Awaiting Travel" status. Example 1: Soldier signed out 

on PCS leave to visit family and cannot travel overseas due to travel restrictions. Soldier can 

stay with family and does not require per diem or lodging. Example 2: Soldier from OCONUS 

was on leave CONUS and cannot return to duty station at this time. Soldier is staying with 

family and does not require per diem or lodging. 

Soldiers, DACs, and their family members that have signed out of a CONUS installation 

enroute to a foreign OCONUS location will not continue PCS movement without approved 

ETP from the Vice Chief of Staff, Army. 

Soldiers, DACs, and their family members assigned to a Geographic Combatant Command 

that have signed out of the installation location will not continue PCS movement without 

approved ETP from the respective Geographic Combatant Command. 

 
COVID-19/Coronavirus 

U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC) 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

27 March 2020 

2 

Soldiers, DACs, and their family members who have not signed out of the losing installation 

will stop movement subject to the approval of an ETP. 

 

Soldiers enroute who would suffer hardship based on continued movement may request a 

deferment of assignment through their losing unit/Military Personnel Det. If approved, 

these soldiers will return to their losing unit. 

Losing commands must contact Soldiers or DACs in transit to reinforce guidance to 

continue with travel arrangements. 

 

Intra-post reassignments and transfers are authorized. 

Exceptions to Policy 

The Under Secretary of the Army and the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army (VCSA) have been 

delegated approval authority for travel exceptions for all Department of the Army 

personnel and Family members assigned to installations, facilities, and surrounding areas 

in the United States and its territories. 

The Geographic Combatant Commanders have been delegated the authority (further 

delegated to Army Service Component Commands) for travel exceptions for Department of 

the Army personnel and Family members assigned to the combatant command. 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 

Q. Will PCS moves be canceled? What is the number of movements that will be 

delayed? 

A. We have not canceled any permanent change of station (PCS) moves; however, we are 

implementing diversions to stateside locations for some Soldiers graduating from initial 

entry training with orders to overseas locations. 

Our number-one priority is protecting the health and welfare of our greatest assets – our 

Soldiers, Families and Department of the Army civilians. We anticipate that more than 

11,000 Soldiers and their Families scheduled for PCS March 11 through May 11 could be 

delayed. As conditions change, we will continuously assess personnel movements and 

readiness. 

Q: Can I get financial help for the extreme hardship caused by PCSing? 

A: Soldiers may request a hardship Exception to Policy (ETP) to continue movement. 

Reasons include, but not limited to, shipment of HHG and POV and/or loss of housing due 

to selling homes or ending leases. In these cases, the Soldier will initiate the request for 

ETP via DA Form 4187. Route through the losing O-6 level commander and command G-1 

for recommendation. Final approval authority is the gaining command G-1. 
COVID-19/Coronavirus 

U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC) 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

27 March 2020 

3 

Q. I’m a civilian with a report date earlier than 11 May, am I allowed to start at my 

new gaining job? 

A: Until current travel restrictions are lifted, DoD civilian personnel entrance on duty to 

positions in Level 2 and Level 3 designated locations are postponed for non-essential 

civilian personnel who have not yet begun travel. In addition, DoD components may only 

onboard civilian employees who are already within the local commuting area. Exceptions 

may be granted in writing for compelling cases where the travel is (1) determined to be 

mission-essential, (2) necessary for humanitarian reasons, or (3) warranted due to 

extreme hardship. Approval authority for these exceptions belongs to the combatant 

commander if the individual is assigned to a combatant command and the Secretary of the 

Army for all other personnel.

A: Will promotion boards be postponed? 

Q: Yes. Scheduled boards will be rescheduled to later months per MILPER Message 20-080 

Centralized Selection Boards postponement. The following boards have been postponed: 

CPT AMEDD PSB, SSC-JAGC, MAJ CH PSB/CH ILE, RC MAJ AMEDD PSB, RC CPT AMEDD PSB, 

CPT ARMY PSB, CW3/4/5 PSB, RA-USAR MSG, RC CPT APL PSB, LTC AMEDD PSB. 

HRC will release MILPERs detailing the specific updated eligibility criteria for each 

promotion board and will do everything possible to see that this shift in the timing of 

consideration does not adversely affect promotion, schooling or critical career 

development. 

Q. Is the Army considering keeping people in billets longer or any other options to 

stagger PCS moves? 

A. We realize the anxiety created with a permanent change of station move, especially for 

those Soldiers moving during the peak summer season. However, we are developing plans 

to adjust report dates, as needed, for Soldiers affected by travel restrictions. 

Q: How are Soldiers on PCS orders affected by the Stop Movement directive? 

A: Effective March 13, all Soldiers, DA civilians and family members traveling to, from or 

through locations designated by the CDC as Level 3 Travel Health Notice* countries or 

regions will stop movement through May 11. This includes all forms of official travel, 

including Permanent Change of Station, Temporary Duty and leave. (*See complete list 

below.)

Q: Are there any exceptions to the PCS Stop Movement directive? 

A: Those who have already begun PCS travel may continue on to their final destinations.

Personnel scheduled to return to CONUS will complete their moves and, upon arrival, 

isolate or quarantine themselves at an approved location. Exceptions may be granted if the 

PCS travel is determined to be mission-essential, necessary for humanitarian reasons, or 
COVID-19/Coronavirus 

U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC) 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

27 March 2020 

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warranted due to extreme hardship. Those with questions should contact their chain of 

command. 

Q: I have signed out of my unit, but have not started traveling, what should I do? 

A: Those not yet travelling on CONUS-to-CONUS move will not initiate travel. Travel and 

report dates will be amended. Contact your losing unit for guidance.

Q: I am already TDY and departed for CONUS-to-CONUS PCS, what should I do? 

A: Those already traveling to their next duty stations should complete their moves. 

Q: I am already enroute to/from an OCONUS PCS, what should I do? 

A: Stay in your current location and contact your losing unit to coordinate an exception to 

policy from the OCONUS command to proceed with travel. 

Q: What should Soldiers do who are planning HHG shipments? 

A: Soldiers planning to ship household goods (including vehicles) to/from countries with a 

CDC Threat Health Notice Level 2 or 3 for COVID-19 who have not already contracted with 

TSP for a move or are already in transit will delay shipment until further notice. A General 

Officer or SES may approve HHG and POV shipments if deemed mission essential, 

necessary for humanitarian reasons, or otherwise warranted due to extreme hardship.

Q: My household goods were picked up, but I have not departed my location, what 

should I do? 

A: Call servicing transportation office for assistance; contact regional office if needed 

(https://www/move.mil and select customer assistance for a list personnel property 

offices). 

Q: What happens if personnel impacted by the Stop Movement have already shipped 

goods, terminated a lease or sold a home? 

A: The Army will use all means available to assist personnel impacted by COVID-19. 

Depending on where they are in the transit process, individuals may be able to get 

household goods or personal vehicles returned by contacting their shipping office or 

vehicle processing center. 

Approving officials may authorize Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) for those who no 

longer have a mortgage or lease agreement. Those needing TLA should contact their chain 

of command for assistance. 

If a Soldier has already shipped HHG/POV and no longer has a mortgage or lease 

agreement; OCONUS Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) approving officials may 

authorize TLA for Soldiers delayed in countries with a CDC Threat Health Notice Level 2 or 

3 for COVID-19 according to existing local TLA policies. 
COVID-19/Coronavirus 

U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC) 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

27 March 2020 

5 

Q: I’m a Department of the Army Civilian (DAC) who suffered financial loss due to a 

curtailed or cancelled TDY. Will I be reimbursed? 

A: The commander may approve DACs reimbursement of nonrefundable deposits, prepaid 

rent, late and early departure fees, remaining lodging, and tax expenses that would have 

been paid. 

Q: Am I authorized Temporary Lodging Expense? 

A: Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) allowances are in accordance with the Joint Travel 

Regulation. Soldiers are authorized 5 days of TLE during PCS travel from CONUS to 

OCONUS. Soldiers are authorized 10 days of TLE during PCS travel from CONUS to CONUS. 

Any changes to this authorization will be announced in subsequent policy. 

Q: If my Family can’t PCS with me, will we receive Family Separation Housing (FSH) 

allowance? 

A: Commanders may authorize Soldiers to receive FSH at the new PDS, as long as a soldier 

qualifies for the allowance. 

Q: Will I get BAS if ordered to restricted movement? 

A: Your commander may authorize BAS or BAS-II if you do not reside in government 

quarters and consume food from a commercial source. 

Q: If the quarantine applies to me – where will I be quarantined? 

A: Soldiers who return to CONUS from a country with a CDC Threat Health Notice Level 2 

or 3 for COVID-19 (See complete list below) will isolate or quarantine at CONUS-approved 

locations. 

The Army is directing a 14-day mandatory quarantine for Soldiers returning from countries 

determined by the CDC to be at Alert Level 1 and Level 2. 

Any DOD personnel or family members returning from CDC-determined Level 1 or Level 2 

countries are recommended to self-quarantine for 14 days. 

Department of the Army Civilian personnel are subject to movement restrictions (to 

include isolation or quarantine) under the authority and direction of civil public health 

authorities, or by commanders, if authorized IAW DODI 6200.03. Approved locations to be 

determined. 

Q: I am separating or pending retirement, does the travel restriction apply to me? 

A: Travel for retirements or separations within the next 60 days (until 11 May 2020) are 

exempt from DOD travel restrictions. 

Q: Can I still PCS to and from Level 3 (the worst level) location? 
COVID-19/Coronavirus 

U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC) 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

27 March 2020 

6 

A: No. Based on the Secretary of Defense's March 11th directive, the Department of the 

Army has been directed to stop movement for the next 60 days of all Soldiers, DA civilians 

and Family members traveling to, from, or through locations designated by the CDC as 

Travel Health Notice Level 3. This includes all forms of official travel, including Permanent 

Change of Station, Temporary Duty, and government-funded leave. Exceptions to Policy 

may apply to Mission Essential Soldiers or DACs.

Q: How can I get approval to take leave? 

A: All ordinary and emergency leave requests for Soldiers in countries with a CDC Threat 

Health Notice Level 2 or 3 for COVID-19 require General Officer (GO) or SES approval until 

further notice. 

Commands in countries with a CDC Threat Health Notice Level 2 or 3 for COVID-19 (See 

complete list below) will follow combatant command directed intra-theater travel guidance 

for any leave conducted from that country to other OCONUS destinations. 

Q: I am scheduled to attend training or a course, have there been any cancellations or 

travel restrictions? 

A: Soldiers scheduled to attend courses or schools in the United States less than six months 

in duration who are stationed in Italy or Korea will postpone their schooling until further 

notice. 

Soldiers scheduled to attend training in the United States for six months or longer will 

arrive 14 days early for screening and quarantine. 

Soldiers currently in a CONUS-based TRADOC school may return to CDC-defined Alert Level 

1 and Level 2 countries with approval from the first General Officer or SES in their chain of 

command and must follow local command guidance for isolation or quarantine. 

Q: I’m assigned overseas and my DEROS is earlier than 11 May. How is my enroute 

school affected by the stop movement? 

A: HRC will identify overseas Soldiers affected by the restriction of movement with a 

DEROS of 11 May 2020 and earlier, who are in receipt of HRC assignment instructions, and 

soldiers in a transit status (TN), and soldiers with schools enroute with start dates during 

the stop movement period. 

HRC will provide a roster of affected Soldiers to OCONUS command G-1s and ask them to 

identify (1) Involuntary Foreign Service Tour Extension (IFSTE) population with the 

requested DEROS and (2) approved ETP travel population. 

IFSTE population: Based on input from OCONUS G-1, HRC will top-load DEROS adjustments 

up to 60 days and amend assignment instructions with adjusted report dates, when 

required. HRC will attempt to reschedule those soldiers with schools enroute based on new 
COVID-19/Coronavirus 

U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC) 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

27 March 2020 

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DEROS. HRC will coordinate with OCONUS G-1 further for DEROS adjustments up to 90 

days to facilitate rescheduling of reenlistment/reclassification training when class dates do 

not align with new DEROS. 

Q: If I am leaving Professional Military Education for my next duty assignment, what 

must I do? 

A: Soldiers and Department of the Army Civilians currently in a CONUS-based school may 

return to countries with a CDC Threat Health Notice Level 2 or 3 for COVID-19 with 

approval from the first General Officer (GO) or SES in their home station chain of command 

and follow local command guidance for isolation or quarantine. 

If the Soldier or Department of the Army Civilian is enroute to a new unit, the gaining 

command will submit an Exception to Policy to receive that soldier. 

Q: I am stuck in transit to my next duty location, what should I do? 

A: Soldiers, DACs, and their Family members that have signed out of a CONUS installation 

enroute to a CONUS location will continue PCS movement. 

Soldiers currently in a travel status (PCS or TDY) away from the PDS may be eligible for 

reimbursement of lodging and per diem, known as Hardship Duty Pay-Restriction of 

Movement (HDP-ROM). To cover any expenses incurred due to travel delays, GTC credit 

limits have been raised for delayed Soldiers. 

Q. I do not have sufficient funds, or a government travel card, or need to increase the 

limit on my government travel card, who can I contact for assistance? 

A: To cover any expenses incurred due to travel delays, GTC credit limits have been raised 

for delayed Soldiers. Contact your losing unit or local Finance office for further guidance. 

Q: I need to cancel my flight, who do I need to contact? 

A: Contact Scheduled Airline Ticket Office (SATO) / Transportation Management Office 

(TMO). Phone numbers for business hours and non-business hours are on the traveler’s 

itinerary or they can call 1-800-296-9897, press option 3. 

Q: If a Soldier or Family member is sick, what are the pass/leave rules? 

A: Commanders with Soldiers who are sick may allow convalescent leave. When 

commanders observe Soldiers exhibiting medical symptoms, they can order Soldiers to 

seek medical attention. Travel by patients and medical providers for the purpose of 

medical treatment for DoD personnel and their Family members is authorized. Approval of 

emergency leave is done by the first General Officer (GO) or member of the Senior 

Executive Service (SES) in the chain of command. 

Q: Will I get pass/leave if my close Family member is required to self-monitor? 
COVID-19/Coronavirus 

U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC) 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

27 March 2020 

8 

A: Commanders should apply leave and liberty policies liberally. Commanders may assign 

an alternate place of duty or telework for Soldiers. 

Q: What about unique situations? 

A: In the event of other situations created by extended effects of COVID-19, commanders 

should apply leave and liberty policies liberally. Commanders may assign an alternate place 

of duty for any Soldier, telework, and for relevant work to be performed remotely. 

Q: How do I contact my losing unit to coordinate movement in the event of an 

emergency? 

A: Prior to Soldier’s departure the losing command will ensure the member has provided 

accurate contact information to the losing command and received contact information for 

both the losing command and gaining command for any enroute travel emergencies. The 

losing command will coordinate with the servicing MPD to publish orders with any 

necessary amendments and travel arrangements. 

A: How is Active Duty Operational Support (ADOS) affected? 

Q: Soldiers who have received an ADOS order with a future start date but have not initiated 

movement will have their orders amended or revoked. If revoked, the force requestor will 

generate another Tour of Duty (TOD) packet when the restriction of movement is lifted. 

Current CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice (the worst level) countries: 

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, 

Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, 

Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San 

Marino, Vatican City, United Kingdom and Ireland: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern 

Ireland, Republic of Ireland, China, Iran, South Korea 

Current CDC Level 2 Travel Health Notice countries: 

United States, majority of countries in the world

The 24-hour Army Service Call Center number for personnel requiring travel 

assistance is: 1-800-552 (select option 5) 

For latest updates, visit the U.S. Army Human Resources Command Facebook page