R 171559Z FEB 21
MARADMIN 075/21
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC PPO//
SUBJ/MARINE CORPS GUIDANCE ON USE OF MASKS AND OTHER CONTAINMENT MEASURES FOR 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)//
REF/A/MSGID: MEMO: SECDEF: 20210204//
REF/B/MSGID: MEMO: SECNAV: 20210205//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/YMD: 20200406//
NARR/REF A IS A SECDEF MEMORANDUM ON THE USE OF MASKS AND OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES. REF B IS A SECNAV MEMORANDUM ON THE USE OF MASKS AND OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES. REF C IS MARADMIN 218/20 UPDATE #5: U.S MARINE CORPS DISEASE CONTAINMENT PREPAREDNESS PLANNING GUIDANCE FOR 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19): MARINE CORPS GUIDANCE ON THE USE OF CLOTH FACE COVERINGS//
POC1/HQMC MCCC/UNIT: PP&O POC/F/TEL: (703) 692-4263/NIPR EMAIL: SMB_HQMC_MCCAT@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This MARADMIN provides guidance on the use of masks and other public health measures for the Total Force and rescinds previous service guidance contained in reference (c).
1.A.  Background.
1.A.1.  The United States Marine Corps is committed to taking every precaution to ensure the health and well-being of our people and the nation in response to the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.  The Marine Corps will implement measures necessary to mitigate risks to the force and our mission; and to counter the spread of the disease.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing masks in public settings.
1.A.2.  On 5 February, 2021, the Secretary of Defense (SecDef), via reference (a), directed that all individuals on Department of Defense (DoD) property, installations, and facilities, and all individuals performing official duties on behalf of the Department from any location other than the individual’s home wear masks in accordance with current CDC guidance.
2.  Mission.  The Marine Corps will implement the guidance provided in reference (a) to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while continuing the mission of the Corps.
3.  Execution.
3.A.  Commander’s Intent.
3.A.1.  Purpose.  Promulgate guidance to the force for the use of masks.
3.A.2.  Method.  The Commandant has identified COVID-19 as a threat to the health and well-being of the Marine Corps.  The Marine Corps will take measured steps to protect all Marines, Sailors, dependents, government civilians, and contract worker personnel.  Informed by Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and Department of the Navy (DON) guidance and actions, the intent of this message is to protect the Total Force and preserve our capability to accomplish the mission of the Marine Corps.
3.A.3.  End State.  The U.S. Marine Corps is postured to mitigate, contain, respond to, and recover from the effects of this public health challenge; and is capable of continued execution of assigned missions and Title 10 responsibilities.
3.B.  Concept of Operations.  The Marine Corps will institute the guidance contained in this MARADMIN and comply with mask and other public health guidance.
3.C.  Tasks.
3.C.1.  Effective immediately, all individuals on Marine Corps property, installations, and facilities (including commercially leased spaces), and all individuals performing official duties on behalf of the Service from any location other than the individual’s home, including outdoor shared spaces, shall wear masks continuously while on military installations except:
3.C.1.a.  When an individual is alone in an office with floor-to ceiling walls with a closed door;
3.C.1.b.  For brief periods when eating or drinking (while maintaining appropriate distancing);
3.C.1.c.  When the mask is required to be lowered briefly for identification of security purposes; and
3.C.1.d.  When necessary to reasonably accommodate an individual with a disability.
3.C.2.  This guidance applies to all military personnel, civilian employees, family members, DoD contractors, and all other individuals on Marine Corps property, installations, and facilities.
3.C.3.  Locations where masks must be worn include, but are not limited to, any common areas or shared workspaces (including open floorplan office space, cubicle embankments, and conference rooms) and outdoor-shared spaces.  Marines and their family members are encouraged to wear masks in their barracks, family housing, or other shared residence locations when individuals who are not members of their household are present.
3.C.4.  Individuals must consistently wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth and that comports with all current guidance from the CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  Masks should extend above the nose without interfering with eyewear, and below the chin to completely cover the mouth and nostrils.  Masks should fit snugly, but comfortably, against the sides of the face and be secured (e.g. by tying or ear-loops).  Masks should be laundered regularly to maintain good hygiene.  Masks for wear in uniform should be conservative in appearance.  Masks should not be placed on young children under age two, or anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
3.C.5.  All individuals on military installations and all individuals performing official duties on behalf of the Service from any location other than the individual’s home will follow CDC guidance and practice physical distancing, specifically by staying at least six feet from people who are not from an individual’s household in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
3.C.6.  Mask wearing and physical distancing should be practiced in combination with other everyday preventive actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including:
3.C.6.1.  Washing hands frequently for at least 20 seconds using soap and water, or frequent use of hand sanitizer when hand-washing facilities are not available.
3.C.6.2.  Properly covering coughs and sneezes.
3.C.6.3.  Avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands, staying home when sick, and use of telecommunications in place of face-to-face interactions.
3.C.6.4.  Frequently cleaning and disinfecting common touch points, including gym equipment, keyboards, laptops, door handles, etc.
4.  Administration and Logistics.
4.A.  Administration.
4.A.1.  Exceptions.
4.A.1.a.  Categorical or case-by-case exceptions to this requirement for all situations outside of office settings when temporary unmasking is necessary for mission requirements may be granted (for areas outside the Pentagon Reservation, consistent with reference (a)), in writing, by no lower than General/Flag officers or Senior Executive Service members or their equivalent.  Exceptions should be granted via the operational chain of command and tracked and maintained by the exception-granting authority.
4.A.1.b.  The following individuals and groups are excepted from this guidance, but must take all practicable precautions and preventative measures to reduce the risk of exposure and, if the exemption is for a specific activity, only unmask for the minimum duration necessary:
4.A.1.b.1.  Children under the age of two and anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
4.A.1.b.2.  Personnel conducting official Marine Corps physical testing events (e.g. initial strength test, physical fitness test, combat fitness test, and military occupational specialty specific physical tests).  During warm-up periods, event marshalling, and event transitions, test takers are required to wear masks.  Test monitors and other support personnel are required to wear masks throughout the conduct of the event(s).
4.A.1.b.3.  Personnel conducting training in which mask wearing is not feasible, such as swim qualification, amphibious, or aquatic training events; or where mask wearing impedes safety, such as live-fire, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) or other high-risk training events where masks create a hazard.
4.A.1.b.4.  Personnel conducting outdoor physical fitness activities during which appropriate physical distancing can be maintained.
4.A.1.b.5.  Personnel operating machinery, tools and/or other items during the use of which a mask would present a safety hazard.
4.A.1.b.6.  Personnel conducting flight-line activities or operations where masks create a hazard.
4.A.1.b.7.  Individuals alone (or with members of their household) in their housing, barracks room, private outdoor space or personally owned vehicle.
4.A.2.  Security personnel may require the lowering of masks to verify identification.
4.A.3.  Novelty or non–protective masks, masks with ventilation valves, or face shields do not suffice for compliance with this guidance.  Masks with demeaning or derogatory logos; profanity, racist, sexist, or offensive script; or which advocate drug abuse or dissident, extremist or protest activity, are not authorized.  Full masks (field protective masks, ski masks) are not authorized.  Masks with eccentric designs are not authorized for use while in uniform.  Marines may fashion their own masks so long as they comply with applicable guidance.
4.A.4.  If this guidance conflicts with applicable host nation requirements, follow host nation requirements.
4.A.5.  Categorical or case-by-case exceptions not contained herein should be addressed in specific major subordinate command policy.
4.B.  Logistics.
4.B.1.  Definitions (for the purpose of this guidance):
4.B.1.a.  Military Installation: a base, camp, post, station, yard, center, homeport facility for any ship, or other activity under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a Military Department (MILDEP) or the SecDef, including any leased facility, which is located within any State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or Guam. In the case of an activity in a foreign country, a military installation is any area under the operational control of the Secretary of a MILDEP or the SecDef, without regard to the duration of operational control.
4.B.1.b.  Outdoor Shared Space:  An outdoor area where physical distancing cannot be maintained due to foot traffic or co-use.
4.B.1.c.  Physical Distancing:  Maintaining at least six feet (about two arm lengths) from others who are not a part of your household.
4.B.2.  DoD policies can be found at:  https:(slash)(slash)www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Latest-DOD-Guidance/
4.B.3.  Additional CDC guidance can be found here:  https:(slash)(slash)www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html
5.  Command and Signal.
5.A.  Command.  This MARADMIN applies to the Total Force.
5.B.  Signal.  This MARADMIN is effective upon release.  Ensure widest dissemination.
5.C.  This message is approved for release by LtGen G. W. Smith, Jr., Deputy Commandant, Plans, Policies, and Operations.//