{"id":14565,"date":"2020-05-27T17:40:06","date_gmt":"2020-05-27T17:40:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/05\/27\/heres-big-navys-covid-19-deployment-guidance\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T18:41:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:41:46","slug":"heres-big-navys-covid-19-deployment-guidance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2020\/05\/27\/heres-big-navys-covid-19-deployment-guidance\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s Big Navy\u2019s COVID-19 deployment guidance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Big Navy on Monday released new instructions<\/a> for how sailors will deploy and operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic while warning that such mitigation measures will \u201cbe in place for a lengthy period, and this will pose challenges for our people and their families.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The guidelines<\/a> constitute minimum actions required to deploy, including pre-deployment medical screenings, at least two weeks of movement restriction in a \u201csequestered status\u201d as well as regular hand washing and masking while underway, according to a Navy release<\/a> announcing the plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several units that have deployed since the pandemic began have already implemented such measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs we learn more about this virus, the Navy will continue to take steps necessary to preserve our operational readiness while protecting the health off our forces,\u201d Vice Adm. Phillip Sawyer, the operations chief in charge of coordinating the Navy\u2019s response to COVID-19, said in the release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The guidance warns that while testing is the only way to find asymptomatic sailors \u2014 those who have the virus but show no symptoms \u2014 \u201ctesting does not guarantee a clean deploying unit due to the potential for false negative tests,\u201d a reality that makes social distancing, face coverings and deep cleanings all the more vital.<\/p>\n\n\n\t