WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- At the request of Whiteman Air Force Base leaders, the Whiteman AFB Commissary will be closed until at least Tuesday, April 7, effective immediately, April 4, 2020.
The closure is designed to protect Whiteman AFB from the transmission of COVID-19. The facility will be deep-cleaned while 509th Medical Group Public Health and the Defense Commissary Agency assess the situation and determine future processes to ensure a safe shopping experience for Airmen, their families, and retirees and other beneficiaries.
Tests are being administered as necessary to employees and Commissary and Whiteman leadership installation commanders are closely monitoring the situation to plan for the near future. Public Health is fully engaged in the process and will provide further guidance as needed and assist leaders through this situation.
“COVID-19 is a dynamic threat, so we must act dynamically,” said Col. Jeffrey Schreiner, 509th Bomb Wing commander, “We are assessing the situation and taking decisive action to protect the installation from the spread of the virus. We understand this may be an abrupt change to your pattern of life and we will look at processes for maintaining grocery activity on the installation. For now, we ask that Team Whiteman exercise good judgement and continue to practice physical distancing and responsible behaviors—doing so is the most effective way to flatten the curve and protect each other.”
Team Whiteman leaders continue to encourage all Airmen, dependents, contractors and community members to practice good hygiene and limit travel as much as possible; it is a matter of public health and safety.
Whiteman AFB remains at Health Protection Condition CHARLIE. Additional measures and restrictions may be implemented in the future. Team Whiteman is taking continued collective action to mitigate further impacts to the base and community, and commanders are committed to keeping Team Whiteman healthy and informed.
If you are feeling ill or note a change to your health, do not go to work or to public spaces--please call the local nurse advice line at 660-687-1537. General COVID-19 questions can be directed to the 509th MDG hotline: 660-687-4305.
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs will continue to provide families with up-to-date information about impacted activities and appropriate measures to prevent spread of the virus.
For the latest national information on COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Air Force Coronavirus websites at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and https://www.af.mil/News/Coronavirus-Disease-2019/. If local Team Whiteman personnel have questions regarding local policies, they should utilize their chain of command or contact 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs at 509bw.public.affairs@us.af.mil.