US Forces Japan commander declares public health emergency for Tokyo-area bases as virus cases surge

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US Forces Japan commander declares public health emergency for Tokyo-area bases as virus cases surge

By SETH ROBSON | STARS AND STRIPES
Published: April 6, 2020

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YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan – The commander of U.S. Forces Japan has declared a public health emergency for U.S. military bases on the Kanto Plain in and around Tokyo.

The declaration Monday afternoon “ensures commanders possess the necessary authorities to enforce compliance health protection measures among military, civilians, and contractors who live and work on U.S. installations,” a USFJ statement said. The guidance will be in effect until at least May 5.

Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider, USFJ commander, said in the statement that protecting the health and safety of everyone associated with USFJ is his No. 1 priority.

“I cannot underscore enough the importance of personal responsibility at a time like this,” he said. “Stopping the spread of [the coronavirus] requires the entire team – service members, civilians, families, and our Japanese partners. The virus makes no exceptions based on military or civilian status, and our policies and procedures won’t either.”

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Read more: https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/us-forces-japan-commander-declares-public-health-emergency-for-tokyo-area-bases-as-virus-cases-surge-1.625010