The commander of the U.S. military base in Djibouti has declared a public health emergency over COVID 19.
The public health emergency is effective for 30 days and CJTF-HOA said it will work with interagency and host nation partners to determine whether to extend the declaration.
The Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) head Maj. Gen. Michael Turello made the declaration, which applies to all U.S. service members, Defense Department civilians and contractors under his authority at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, the nearby Chabelley Airfield and those working at the Port of Djibouti.
“Combating COVID-19 is my top priority,” Turello said in a CJTF-HOA statement. “By declaring a public health emergency, it keeps our forces, and those of our host nation partner, as healthy and as safe as possible.”
Camp Lemonnier is the U.S. military’s largest installation on the continent.
The public health emergency declaration is being labeled as a “precautionary measure that gives the commander increased authorities to better manage, prevent and mitigate potential risk to the force,” according to a CJTF-HOA statement.
The Pentagon has previously taken precautionary measures in Africa due to the coronavirus, with U.S. Africa Command last month canceling several multinational military exercises set for March and April.
“We are doing our part to contain the virus and minimize its impact. This is how we work in the current environment,” Turello said in the statement.
