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Immediate Release

DOD Statement on use of Camp Ashland, Nebraska in Support of HHS

On Feb. 3, Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper, in response to a request for assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), approved housing support at Camp Ashland, Nebraska for up to 75 people who may need to be quarantined upon arrival from overseas travel due to the novel coronavirus. This is a DoD-owned facility that is leased to the State of Nebraska.  The approval was done in consultation with the Governor of Nebraska.  

Secretary Esper also approved providing a facility for briefing passengers and office space for HHS personnel and equipment through Feb. 29, 2020. 

As with prior coronavirus RFAs, HHS will be responsible for all care, transportation, and security of the evacuees. This includes limiting the movement of the evacuees on Camp Ashland. 

DOD personnel will not be in direct contact with the evacuees and will minimize contact with personnel supporting the evacuees. Should routine monitoring of the evacuees identify ill individuals, HHS has procedures in place to transport them to a local civilian medical facility. HHS will also ensure that no evacuated personnel are transferred to any DOD installation if they are infected or ill.

The department's primary responsibility is the safety of our force, our families and our base communities. DOD personnel will follow guidance in the memorandum, "Force Health Protection Guidance for the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak," to reduce risk.