U.S. Army Release
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii (July 30, 2021) -- Effective July 30, in accordance with guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on “Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People” issued July 27, 2021, service members, family members, federal employees, on-site contractor employees and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask in indoor settings on installations, and other facilities owned, leased or otherwise controlled by the Defense Department during periods of high community transmission.
The City & County of Honolulu (entire island of Oahu) is currently in an area of substantial community transmission. Hawaii County (entire island of Hawaii) is currently in an area of high community transmission.
Effective immediately, in concert with Department of Defense mandate, everyone must wear masks indoors across U.S. Army Hawaii installations and facilities, regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, unvaccinated individuals must wear masks in outdoor public spaces.
Previously, personnel who were fully vaccinated were not required to wear a mask indoors or outdoors while on an Army installation.
Masks continue to be required off post when indoors. Visit https://oneoahu.org for more information regarding off-post policies and rules.
The COVID-19 Delta variant, which has caused an increase in reported cases of the virus drives this DoD policy.
To be clear:
- Masks are required inside all installation facilities
- All personnel will wear masks inside dining facilities until seated to eat, at which time masks may be removed.
Vaccination is safe and remains the most effective prevention against COVID-19, to include the Delta variant. Soldiers, Department of the Army or Department of Defense civilians, contractors, and beneficiaries may receive vaccination via the Tricare system. All Tricare beneficiaries are welcome to register for any COVID-19 vaccination event regardless of enrolled treatment facility.
Register for a vaccination at https://www.operationcovidshot.com. Currently all sites are using the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.