Washington: Pentagon, the world’s largest office building, is shutting down to most visitors and allowing its staff to work remotely as part of enhanced precautionary measures in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a news report.
The Pentagon has increased its Health Protection Condition to “bravo,” restricting access for visitors who don’t have personal access cards, including international military partners who frequently attend meetings in the building.
“If you’re sick, don’t come to the building. Stay home, contact your health care provider, get tested if necessary,” a senior defense official said in a phone briefing on March 14.
According to an official, 10 service members, one Defense Department civilian, eight dependents and two Department of Defense (DoD) contractors have tested positive for coronavirus with two being hospitalised.
The new measures come a week after building staff began social distancing measures, including spreading large senior leadership meetings over several conference rooms and video linking them together, as well as declining handshakes and frequent cleaning of office spaces.
According to an official, there will be minimal staffing at the Pentagon. Some offices will telework entirely, while others may be broken into rotating groups to restrict the number of people in a space at any given time.
Staff whose work deals heavily in classified information will continue to be allowed access in their offices.
Promotion, reenlistment, swearing-in and retirement ceremonies have also been suspended.
