DoD Policy Change, COVID-19 Military Personnel Movement and Travel Restrictions – Leave and Liberty

1.  Purpose.  This message provides notice of a change to Department of Defense (DoD) policy regarding travel restrictions.
2.  DoD Policy Change.  Per ref (a), ref (b) is modified as follows:  leave travel for DoD Service members is exempt from COVID-19-related travel restrictions.  All other guidance contained in ref (b) remains in effect until further notice, to include DoD Priorities:  protecting DoD members and families; safeguarding our national security capabilities; and supporting the whole-of-nation response.
3.  Applicability.  This MARADMIN applies to non-official leave, liberty, and administrative absence outside of the local area and/or liberty limits (as applicable).  Travel restriction and waiver guidance contained in ref (b) still applies to leave taken in conjunction with an official travel itinerary (e.g., leave taken in conjunction with Government-funded travel, Permanent Change of Station travel, Temporary Duty travel) to ensure that gaining and receiving commanders (i.e., GO/SES-level commanders who approve travel restriction waivers) have full transparency of members' travel itineraries to conduct their risk assessments.
4.  Coordinating Instructions
4.A.  Authorized non-official travel outside of the local area and/or liberty limits may be approved, but at a level not lower than the requestor's unit commander, as established in ref (c).  This authority may not be delegated below the unit commander.  Higher-level commanders may provide guidance that is more restrictive.
4.B.  Commanders and supervisors will conduct a risk assessment of the health status and travel itinerary for Marines requesting leave, liberty, or administrative absence outside of the local area and/or liberty limits (as applicable).  Commanders should incorporate the following into their assessment:  On 27 March 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Global COVID-19 Pandemic Notice that advises travelers to avoid all nonessential international travel, and recommends that all international travelers stay home for 14 days upon return from travel.
4.B.1.  Requests may not be approved for Marines who have had symptoms of, or exposure to, COVID-19 within the 14-day period just prior to the requested departure date.
4.B.2.  Commanders and supervisors are advised that travel to, through, or from "RED" locations risks the absence of a Marine from their assigned workspace.  For example, a Marine who, upon return from leave, is subsequently diagnosed positive for COVID-19 and ordered into isolation or a restriction of movement (ROM) status; the Marine may be unable to be physically present at their assigned workspace.
4.B.3.  RED and GREEN locations are provided by the Marine Corps Crisis Action Team (MCCAT) at the following SharePoint site:  https:(slash)(slash)eis.usmc.mil/sites/hqmcppo/MCCAT/SitePages/Home.aspx.
4.B.4.  Commanders and supervisors will establish pre- and post-travel screening and reception procedures for all authorized travelers as provided in refs (d), (e), and subsequent force health protection (FHP) guidance.  These procedures will include guidance for establishing a means of communication with all Marines throughout the pre- and post-travel screening and reception process as well as information regarding prescribed actions for their particular circumstances, including ROM or isolation if required.
4.B.5.  In the event a Marine returns from leave, liberty, or administrative absence and is subsequently diagnosed positive for COVID-19 by a competent medical authority, or ordered into a ROM status, commands are obligated to report this information as announced in refs (f) and (g).  A COVID-19 Manpower Tracking Application enables Commanders and supporting staff to report the personnel status of Marines, Sailors, civilian employees, contractors, dependents, and other Service personnel impacted by COVID-19.  To ensure accountability and the accurate categorization of personnel, Commanders and supporting staff shall review these publications and, if necessary, request assistance through the Secretariat point of contact listed in paragraph 5.
4.C.  Marines will comply with all DoD, Federal, State and local restrictions, along with command guidance, while on leave, liberty, or administrative absence.
5.  Points of Contact (POC)
5.A.  Manpower Military Personnel Policy:  703-784-9386/9387/9388; mpo@usmc.mil
5.B.  Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Secretariat:  dc.mra.secretariat.office@usmc.mil
5.C.  Marine Corps Crisis Action Team (MCCAT):  703-692-4302; smb_hqmc_mccat@usmc.mil
6.  This MARADMIN has been coordinated with the DC PPO, and is approved for release by (SES) Michael R. Strobl, Director, Manpower Plans and Policy, Manpower and Reserve Affairs (Acting).