Rucker CG issues third General Order

The mandates have been loosened but with a cautionary note.

“Make no mistake, COVID-19 remains a deadly and highly contagious virus and we are dead serious about making sure that we defeat this thing,” said Maj. Gen. David Francis. “It is imperative that we all do the right thing—both on and off post—and that we exercise diligence and discretion.”

Francis is the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker Commanding General. He was joined by Aviation Branch Command Sergeant Major Sgt. Maj. Brian Hauke for a Facebook Live COVID-19 status update Thursday, June 11.

Francis announced June 11 that a third General Order would replace General Order No. 2 that he issued May 21.

The General Orders issued apply to “all individuals who are subjected to the military authority of the Senior Mission Commander at Fort Rucker.” Family members, Department of the Army civilians and contractors are “requested and strongly encouraged to abide by the restrictions,” according to the General Order. “Failure to abide by this request may result in denial of access to the installation.”

Francis said that he met with the local mayors June 10. “We have seen a downward trend in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the local area since Memorial Day,” he said, thanking the military and civilian communities for their “sacrifice, cooperation, resiliency and dedication” in the fight against the pandemic.

“Fort Rucker garrison, tenant units and USAACE staff have diligently tracked down conditions over the past few months and based on a 14-day sustained downward trend in COVID cases, I have decided to ease some control measures with our previous mitigation efforts,” Francis said. “Your efforts have been successful and have helped us to achieve the criteria to change some of our control measures here at Fort Rucker.”

Under the new order, the travel limit for Fort Rucker personnel has been extended to a 100-mile straight line distance from Fort Rucker. “Now you can go to the beach, you can shop at a department store, you can attend worship services and you can go to fitness centers, as long as you maintain that six-feet of separation or wear a mask,” Francis said.

Prohibited and off-limits locations include off-post bars, night clubs, dance clubs, movie theaters, spas, massage parlors, tattoo parlors and seating area of restaurants, both indoors and outdoors, Francis said. Restaurant patronage permitted remains take-out only.

“There is another observation worth mentioning here that I would like everyone to hear,” Francis said, referring to positive COVID-19 cases on post. “In every case at Fort Rucker, the virus did not originate here. Every one of the cases we have had at Fort Rucker came in from outside the gates of Fort Rucker. I want to highlight again how imperative it is for everyone of us to do the right thing.

“Our control measures are working,” Francis said. “The procedures we are using in our training base, our PX and commissary and our local facilities here all work.”

“Diligence and discipline are key to protection of our mission,” said Hauke, adding that organized physical training for small groups on post will resume. “We need to remain focused.

“The easing of some of these restrictions is a testament to all of you out there,” Hauke said. “Those fundamentals are what keep us safe.”