Malmstrom AFB raises Health Protection Condition to Charlie

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Chiyanna L. White
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
Malmstrom raised its Health Protection Condition (HPCON) to Charlie from Bravo on March 25 in accordance with a Secretary of the Air Force directive designed to more actively combat the spread of COVID-19 across the Department of the Air Force and our local communities.

HPCON Charlie indicates a substantial health threat which requires heightened measures such as stricter guidelines on social distancing and shelter-in-place procedures with the following exceptions: obtaining food, caring for a relative or family member, seeking necessary health care or going to an essential job.

To limit the risks associated with COVID-19, Malmstrom AFB is implementing further measures to reduce the spread of the virus. They include the following:

• Child Development Center/Youth Center will close at the end of the day on March 26.

• Commissary/Exchange may enact metering/limiting the number of customers in the store. They may also begin designating hours specifically for non-active duty members. More information will be published as decisions are enacted.

• Other measures and closures are being considered, but have not been implemented yet.

"We are taking proactive steps to encourage all our Air Force members and families to follow Force Health Protection and CDC guidance to avoid contracting or spreading respiratory illnesses like the flu or COVID-19,” said 341st Missile Wing Commander, Col. Jennifer K. Reeves. “We are also taking steps to educate and safeguard our military and civilian personnel, family members and base communities in preventing wide spread outbreak.”

Team Malmstrom leadership is continually monitoring the situation and working closely with the Montana Department of Health to provide families with up-to-date information on appropriate measures to prevent the spread of the virus. If you develop flu-like symptoms with fever and cough or shortness of breath and may have had contact with a person who has COVID-19 or had recent travel to areas considered high-risk, contact your health care provider before seeking medical care to prevent possible transmission in the health care setting.

For the latest base specific information on COVID-19, visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MalmstromAirForceBase/ or the Malmstrom AFB website at https://www.malmstrom.af.mil/Home/COVID-19/.

We will answer questions and discuss more details on our Facebook live town hall tonight (Thursday), March 26.

For more information or questions, contact the 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs office at 406-836-0875.