LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- As of July 29, 2021, Little Rock AFB is in Health Protection Condition CHARLIE. The 19th Airlift Wing is in COVID Counter Measure Level 2.
The installation commander has implemented HPCON CHARLIE for Little Rock AFB to protect Team Little Rock’s health and safety to combat the spread of COVID-19 across the installation and in our local communities. Governor Asa Hutchinson has reinstated the public health emergency in Arkansas as a result of another daily spike in cases, with 2,843 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. This moves the active cases count to 17,232 and the total case count to 382,569.
"Our collective priorities remain unchanged: we will continue to protect Airmen and their families, preserve combat airlift capacity and readiness, and defend the student pipeline," said Col. Angela Ochoa, 19th Airlift Wing and installation commander.
The spread of the Delta variant is another vital reason to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The Delta variant’s extremely transmissible and infectious nature is causing severe disease and deaths in those who are unvaccinated. Arkansas state records presented during the Governor’s update show that since January 1st, unvaccinated patients make up 96.39 percent of new COVID-19 cases, 95.35 percent of hospitalizations and 97.4 percent of deaths.
HPCON CHARLIE, Counter Measure Level 2 includes the following actions:
- All persons are required to wear masks indoors
- Unvaccinated persons maintain 6-feet spacing
- Indoor common areas/large venue may operate at up to 50% capacity
- Outdoor areas may operate at 75% capacity
- Gyms may operate at 50% capacity
- Schools and Child development programs may operate
- Commanders should consider telework options for at risk employees
- Practice strict hygiene measures such as frequently washing and/or sanitizing hands; wiping common-use items with disinfectant; covering mouths and noses with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing; and staying home when sick.