Coronavirus Updates and Impacts to NAS Sigonella

By NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

This 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 court will continue to close at 6:00 p.m. and JOX Pub will now also close at 6:00 p.m. The movie theater and bowling alley closed, but the library, bowling alley, liberty, and community recreation remain open. Church services will continue but will require that masks be worn at all times. Outdoor individual physical training is still authorized, and although all Italian fitness facilities are closed, we are able to keep ours open for active duty service members only. Sigonella Community Schools remain open, and any changes will be communicated to families promptly.

We have published a handy “stoplight chart” that compiles all this information, and we will update it and share it as soon as any changes are made. We highlighted the major changes in yellow to make it ea

NAS Sigonella, along with every other base, has established robust measures to quickly identify and isolate any potential positive to limit the virus’s spread. The Naval hospital has four fully trained contact-tracing teams which follow CDC guidelines. If a positive COVID-19 case is identified, the contact-tracing team makes a list of that person’s close contacts based on CDC criteria. The team then calls those close contacts to let them know that they are required to restrict-in-movement (ROM) and self-monitor for symptoms. The hospital will give those personnel explicit directions on the process as it arises.

What if you know someone who is part of that group of close contacts— if you are a “contact of the contact?” Per the guidelines, people in this outer circle are not required to be notified, to ROM, or to be tested. If one of those original contacts does develop symptoms or tests positive for coronavirus, then their circle of contacts will be identified and the same process will repeat. If you have not received any phone calls or emails from any official tracers, you are not required to take any extra steps beyond the usual preventative measures.

As we enter cold and flu season, questions may arise about what to do if you are feeling ill. According to the Naval hospital, “If you have respiratory symptoms in general, stay home and let your chain-of-command know. Please separate from others in your household until after you obtain healthcare advice over the phone.” If you are a TRICARE beneficiary, start by calling the Nurse Advice Line (NAL) at 80097-9721 (local Italian number) or +00-1800-874-2273 (U.S. number). If you are not a TRICARE beneficiary, call the appointment line during business hours (M-F 0730-1600) at DSN 624-2273 or local commercial 095-56-2273 to make an appointment with your PCM. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, please call the Emergency Dispatch Center immediately at DSN 624-1911 or Commercial 095-861911. Students at Sigonella Community Schools and children attending the Child Development Center or School Age Care should continue to follow their guidelines.

If you have general questions, you can contact COVID-19 information line at DSN 624-7475 or e-mail usn.sigonella. navhospsigonellait.list.public-health@mail. mil. While this season may prove to be difficult, we have shown our ability to stay the course and follow the guidelines put into place to respect our host nation and keep our community safe. As things change, we will continue to update you, and we maintain hope for the months to come.