SC-COS 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

UNITED STATES SOUTHERN COMMAND 

9301 NW 33RD STREET 

DORAL, FL 33172-1202 

MEMORANDUM FOR All Directorates and Staff 

22 August 2023 

SUBJECT: Command Guidance for HQ USSOUTHCOM Staff Regarding 

Force Health Protection and Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) Workplace 

Protocols. 

1. References:

a. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Website,

https://www .cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

b. Under Secretary of Defense Memorandum, " Consolidated Department of

Defense Coronavirus Disease 2019 Force Health Protection Guidance- Revision

4" January 30, 2023.

c. Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Memorandum,

"Tools to Mitigate the Treat of the Omicron Variant of Coronavirus Disease 2019

in the Department of Defense", December 30, 2021.

d. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Website, "What

to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19," https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-

ncov/vou r-health/if-vou-were-exposed. htm I

2. Purpose. Protecting the health of our force is of vital importance to supporting the

mission. This memorandum updates earlier guidance on the same topic based upon

the latest Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and DoD Force Health Protection

Guidance.

3. Applicability. This applies to all U.S. military and civilian personnel assigned,

attached, or on temporary duty to HQ USSOUTHCOM. Contractors will abide by

these workplace guidelines except for telework instructions. Contractors will

coordinate directly with their Contracting Officer Representative and company

regarding their contract's telework policy. All individuals on military installations and

all individuals performing official duties on behalf of the Department from any location

other than the individual's home will follow CDC guidance for COVID-19 preventive

measures.
SC-COS 

SUBJECT: Command Guidance for HQ USSOUTHCOM Staff Regarding Force Health 

Protection and Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) Workplace Protocols 

4. Background. The global pandemic caused by Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) has 

posed a public health risk to the force and mission capabilities. This has had an 

impact on travel and workplace norms. This revised memo outlines the general 

measures that individuals at Headquarters, USSOUTHCOM will follow to continue to 

minimize the associated risk from the this disease as the virus and our 

countermeasures evolve.

5. Preventive Measures. Preventive measures include increasing the distance 

between individuals as needed, minimizing the use of shared objects, regular 

cleaning, wearing of masks, and vaccination against COVID-19, and recommended 

booster vaccinations. All personnel are expected to conduct themselves with 

vigilance, both on and off duty, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Per CDC and 

Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) guidelines, all 

USSOUTHCOM Headquarters personnel will comply with the following measures to 

protect the team.

a. Personal Behaviors:

(1) Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If unable to 

wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 

60% alcohol.

(2) Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

(3) Clean your frequently touched objects/equipment and surfaces at least 

every 24 hours. Clean your work area at the start and end of each shift.

(4) Being up to date with COVID-19 vaccines including boosters is strongly 

recommended for all service members, civilian employees, and contractors. It 

is recommended that individuals get vaccinated with vaccines that are either 

fully licensed or authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization.

(5) All military personnel, civilian personnel and contractors will self-monitor daily 

for exposure and symptoms of COVID-19. If you have been exposed to or 

suspect any COVID-19 related symptoms, DO NOT enter the headquarters 

without proper medical clearance. Notify your supervisor and contact your 

medical provider for clinical recommendations. Follow the Return-to-Work 

guidance found on www.southcom.mil/coronavirus to return to work.

b. Workplace Adjustments and Duty Schedules:

(1) Supervisors will ensure that personnel that telework have clear guidance 

on the requirements and responsibilities outlined in their telework agreement.

(2) If military and civilian personnel identify they have dependent-care 

limitations, they will work with their leadership to continue telework to the 

extent possible. Employees and leadership will balance mission requirements. 

Employees must still account for work and
SC-COS 

SUBJECT: Command Guidance for HQ USSOUTHCOM Staff Regarding Force Health 

Protection and Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) Workplace Protocols 

non-work hours during the duty day and take appropriate leave for time spent 

away from normal work-related duties. 

(3) Cleaning of Office Spaces. Directors / Chiefs of Special Staff will ensure

that cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer are always stocked and readily

available to their sections. Staff will coordinate with the Headquarters

CommandanU 1 SG for resupply. Staff will routinely clean commonly used

items and surfaces in the workplace/conference rooms and disinfect them

when a suspected or known COVID case has been in contact with the

surfaces.

6. Accountability.

a. Reporting. Monday through Friday, conduct accountability through Daily Muster

per J1 protocols. Directorate deputies, XO, and accountability managers will

report all individuals affected by COVID-19 with the following status options:

hospitalized, quarantine/restriction of movement (ROM), isolation (self or

medically directed), COVID-19 positive cases, and recovered cases. Isolation

status applies to those who have symptoms and/or have tested positive for

COVID-19. Supervisors will conduct daily morale and welfare checks with

individuals in quarantine/ROM or isolation.

b. Symptoms Monitoring.

(1) All employees will self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms daily.

(2) Any individual who develops any symptoms consistent with COVID-19

during the workday must immediately isolate, notify their supervisor, and

promptly leave the workplace.

(3) Return to Work after COVID-19 Illness or Close Contact.

(4) Regardless of vaccination status, personnel who test positive for COVID-19

will isolate for 5 days. If they are asymptomatic or if their symptoms are

resolving after 5 days, they can discontinue isolation after day 5. The date of

the positive test result is considered day O and isolation starts on the day after

the positive test. If fever, shortness of breath, or severe fatigue start or

persist, personnel will continue to isolate until these symptoms resolve

without the aid of medication. All COVID-19 positive cases will continue to

always wear (whether indoors or outdoors) a mask around others and maintain

at least 6 feet separation from others for an additional 5 days. Personnel who

are exposed to COVID- 19, who become ill, and/or who test positive for

COVID-19 will follow the USSOUTHCOM Headquarters Return to Work

Guidelines posted on www.southcom.mil/coronavirus. These guidelines are

updated as needed to align with the latest CDC recommendations. More

information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-

ncov/your­health/if-you-were-exposed. html

(5)If individuals have questions about their ability to return to work, they should

first seek medical advice from their primary care manager. The Army
SC-COS 

SUBJECT: Command Guidance for HQ USSOUTHCOM Staff Regarding Force Health 

Protection and Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) Workplace Protocols 

Health Clinic provides occupational health guidance for the USSOUTHCOM 

Headquarters; they are here to assist individuals who have additional 

questions after evaluation by their primary care manager. 

(6) Regardless of your vaccination status or a previous infection(s), close

contacts of COVID-19 cases must wear a mask around others as soon as

they find out that they were exposed. Day O is the day of the last exposure

with someone with COVID-19. Day 1 is the first full day after the last

exposure. Close contacts regardless of vaccination status must continue

precautions for 10 full days after exposure. Get tested at least 5 full days after

your last exposure even if you do not develop symptoms. If you test negative,

continue taking precautions through day 10 including wearing a well fitted

mask when around others at home and indoor in public. Regardless of

vaccination status, asymptomatic individuals who have tested positive for

COVID-19 in the last 90 days are not required to test. If you test positive, isolate

immediately and follow guidance for positive COVID-19 cases.

7. Official Travel and Leave Guidance.

a. It is recommended all personnel are up to date with vaccinations prior to

travel.

b. Individuals should consult the following resources, as applicable, prior to

travel:

(1) DoD COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Installation Status Update, available at

https://www.defense.gov/explore/spotlight/coronavirus/

(2) CDC Travel Advisory, Health Notices, FAQs and more information,

available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html/

(3) Dept of State Travel Advisories, available at

https://travel. state. gov /conte 11 t/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories. html/

(4) Foreign Clearance Guide for theater and country entry requirements

available at https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil/fcg.cfm

8. This memorandum will be updated as the evolving COVID-19 situation requires.

You may also review the COVID-19 frequently asked questions (FAQs) at

https://www.southcom.mil/coronavirus/ for additional updates. The point of contact

for this action is the Deputy Chief of Staff, at 305-437-1034.