6
The Signature
Coronavirus Updates and By NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
T
his year, as we all know, has been full of challenges and changes associated with COVID-19. The uncertainty and strict measures of spring yielded to a more relaxed summer, but as we have entered autumn, the rising caseload across Europe is bringing restrictions once again. As we round the bend into the darker, colder months of 2020, we want to shed some light on the current status of Italy, Sicily, and NAS Sigonella. Onboard NAS Sigonella, we are subject to several different authorities. Not only do we follow Department of Defense, Navy, and EURAFCENT regional guidelines, but we also must align closely with Italian and Sicilian decrees. In addition, the base CO is able to enact guidelines specific to our base in consultation with our own local medical experts at Naval Hospital Sigonella. When new host nation decrees are put into place, NAS Sigonella and Navy regional legal authorities translate them, review them, and then publish how they will be implemented on base. Sometimes, there is a delay of a week before the NAS Sigonella guidelines are disseminated through All Hands Messages, the NASSIG Facebook page, or other official sources, so though we try to update you as quickly as possible, please expect a delay. We want to take the time to ensure you understand the latest. On October 24, a new Sicilian decree was implemented, and on October 26, an Italian decree followed which is slated to be in place until November 24. As of now, there is a curfew in place from 11:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m., and all shops must close at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays. Restaurants are allowed to be open for take-out and delivery until 11:00 p.m., but dining in is closed after 6:00 p.m. All Italian gyms, pools, dance studios, and other sports facilities and practices have been closed except for national sporting events, but salons, barber shops, and most other businesses may remain open. In addition, this decree bans “cultural events,” which means that not only are many towns prohibited from celebrating saints’ days or other important festivals, but our Halloween celebrations have been strictly limited as well. Here on base, there have already been some changes to hours and services to align with our host nation. The commissary will be closed at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays, but will compensate by opening at 8:00 a.m. on Sundays; the hours will remain 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday—Saturday. The NEX main store and mini-NEX will also close at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays but the rest of their hours
will remain unchanged. The food cour and JOX Pub will now also close at 6:00 alley closed, but the library, bowling all remain open. Church services will con worn at all times. Outdoor individual and although all Italian fitness facilitie open for active duty service members remain open, and any changes will be c We have published a handy “stop information, and we will update it and made. We highlighted the major chan NAS Sigonella, along with every measures to quickly identify and isola virus’s spread. The Naval hospital has fo which follow CDC guidelines. If a po
