Based on South Korea’s current COVID-19 situation returning to favorable conditions, USFK has adjusted its current health protection condition from “Charlie” to “Bravo” for Areas I, III, IV and the Yongsan and Seongnam districts within Area II effective Thursday, September 24 at 4 p.m.; all other districts within Area II will remain in HPCON Charlie for the time being.
USFK’s adjustment to HPCON Bravo is similar to and better aligns USFK with the ROK government’s social distancing level two.
USFK defines Area II as the greater Seoul metropolitan area with the exact boundary viewable on USFK’s interact hotspot map located at www.usfk.mil.
Travel to Area II remains off limits for all USFK-affiliated personnel except for official and necessary duties until further notice. However, individuals who reside within Area II are authorized to leave that area for approved activities within HPCON Bravo areas.
“Once again, the ROK government has done an exceptional job in effectively containing and suppressing the recent outbreak of COVID-19,” said USFK Commander, Gen. Robert B. “Abe” Abrams. “Our record speaks for itself. We will continue to monitor and assess the virus as we have done since January, and will maintain our aggressive approach to identify, contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19 within our formations, installations and communities.”
Authorized HPCON Bravo activities includes seated dining-in at restaurants, shopping and outdoor activities while maintaining social awareness and distancing. Additionally, all USFK individuals must follow South Korean rules, directives and laws regarding COVID-19, adhere to USFK core tenets and wear a mask at all times when off installation.
While USFK is adjusting its health protection condition and many of its preventive measures, it is not lowering its guard: all bars, clubs and establishments that restrict entrance to adults only remain off limits pen-wide to all USFK-affiliated personnel until further notice.
USFK remains at a high level of readiness, and continues to maintain a robust combined defense posture to protect the Republic of Korea against any threat or adversary while implementing and maintaining prudent preventive control measures to protect the force.
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