JBSA-Lackland selected as quarantine site amid coronavirus outbreak

SAN ANTONiO (KTSA News)- Mayor Ron Nirenberg has issued a statement in response to the selection of Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland as a quarantine site for evacuees from China amid the Coronavirus outbreak

”We were notified that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Defense have decided to evacuate American citizens from China and quarantine them at U. S. military installations, including Lackland Air Force Base,” said the mayor. “ We have been told that these individuals have no symptoms of the coronavirus and pose no risk to our community.”

Nirenberg says we should be comforted by precautions being taken by federal, state and local health officials.

“We do not currently have any individuals diagnosed with the coronavirus here in San Antonio, and our Metro Health Department will continue to monitor the situation and exercise an abundance of caution,”said Nirenberg.

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SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News)- Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland is one of four military installations in the United States selected to possibly house people who are quarantined  amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The Department of Health and Human Services requested that the Department if Defense provide facilities capable of housing at least 250 people in individual rooms through February 29.

JBSA Lackland, Travis Air Force Base, Fort Carson and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar were  selected by the DOD.

Officials at JBSA say this will not negatively affect readiness or critical operations.

“JBSA personnel will not be directly in contact with the evacuees, as well as evacuees will not have access to any base location other than their assigned lodging,” read a statement from JBSA.

“JBSA leadership’s primary responsibility is the safety of our force, our families and our base communities. This is an evolving situation, and we will provide information to our families and community as available, “ said JBSA officials.

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