Fort Greely’s post commander says he’s concerned about a recent spike in reports of COVID-19 locally and in the Fairbanks area. So he’s directed garrison civilian employees who are eligible to begin working from home, effective Monday.
The state Department of Health and Social Services said about 65 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Delta Junction and surrounding area over the past week. And the health 45 cases were reported over the week prior. That’s more than double the number reported over the first week of January.
In response to that spike, Fort Greely Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Joey Orr sent a message to the workforce on Friday that says garrison civilians should transition into what’s called a “situational telework” status.
A post spokesperson says a commander can institute that kind of teleworking to protect the health and safety of the workforce. That’s typically done when the weather is bad, like during last month’s winter storm. It also was temporarily instituted in early 2020, when the pandemic first began exponentially spreading.
There are about 225 civilian employees at Fort Greely, but not all work for the garrison. And the post spokesperson says not all those civilians will qualify to work from home – some, like those who operate snow-removal equipment, will have to show up for work. Civilians who do qualify to work from home will have to arrange it with their supervisor.
RELATED: Alaska reports 21 COVID deaths and thousands of new cases
Tim Ellis is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
