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The Pentagon has released a five-phase reopening plan for military bases

In order to move to the next phase, there must be a two-week decline in COVID-19 cases at the base and surrounding community.

SAN ANGELO, Texas — Since mid-March, all U.S. Defense Department installations have been operating with 80% of their workforce working remotely, while everyone else is following social distance guidelines. Now, with the Pentagon's release of reopening guidelines, bases like Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo will begin phasing back into normalcy.

On May 26, the Pentagon released a five-phase plan that will allow military bases across the country to move back towards normal operations. As of May 26, military bases are operating in phase zero. 

In order to move onto each phase, there must be a two-week decline in COVID-19 cases at the base and surrounding community, as well as adequate availability of health care, testing, daycare, personal protective equipment and accessible transit.

Once a base moves into phase one, the base can decrease the number of people teleworking to 60% and start having gatherings of up to 10 people, all of whom must practice social distancing 

At phase two, gyms and some expanded food court choices could open (with social distancing), with as little as 20% of the workforce working remotely. If a base and it's surrounding community continues to see a decline in COVID-19, they can move to phase three, where supervisors can decide whether or not they want workers to move back into the office.

According to Robert Martinez, who handles public affairs at Goodfellow Airforce Base, Goodfellow does not have a solid plan right now for how they will begin following the Pentagon's guidelines. Martinez said meetings will be taking place between commanders and supervisors in order to decide what it best for the base.

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