Frequently Asked Questions on CFB Esquimalt and COVID-19

Current as of 19 March 2020
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1. Where can I learn more about COVID-19?
   For the latest information on COVID-19, you can visit the Government of Canada’s website at www.canada.ca/coronavirus
2. What should I do if I’m feeling ill? Military Members
   Please be advised that Canadian Forces Health Services Centre (Pacific) remains open for patient care during regular hours (Monday-Friday 0730-1530h).

   In response to COVID-19 concerns we ask that all sick patients with the below symptoms complete the BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool for advice on staying home or presenting to hospital:

   *  Difficulty breathing
   *  Fever
   *  Cough
   *  Body Aches
   *  Chills
   *  Runny nose
   *  Sneezing or
   *  Sore Throat

   Our advice on self-isolating (14 days) is in line with this tool. Changes to testing protocols are evolving; most people who are able to self-isolate and manage their symptoms at home are not eligible for COVID-19 testing in BC.

   The tool can also provide information on what to do if you were exposed to a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19.

   In cases where the tool asks you to call 811, please contact the clinic at 250-363-4122 and after hours call 811.

   If you are having severe difficulty breathing (struggling for each breath, only able to speak in single words, or have chest pain) or otherwise feel you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, CALL 911.

   If you are at home self-isolating and your symptoms do not improve or worsen, please contact the clinic at 250-363-4122 or in an emergency proceed to the nearest emergency room or call 911.

   Civilian Members
   All citizens in BC can get information from the BC Centre for Disease Control or by calling Healthlink BC at 811.

   Non-medical information about COVID-19 is available 7:30am – 8 pm at 1-888-COVID19.
   
   ALTERNATE WORK ARRANGEMENTS

3. How are CFB Esquimalt and MARPAC employees affected? At the direction of the Chief of Defence Staff and the Department of National Defence, only essential core activities will continue at CFB Esquimalt for a minimum period of three weeks. These activities include international and domestic operations and anything that directly supports those functions.

   This direction is a pro-active measure as part of the Canadian Armed Forces’ overall effort to protect and preserve the operational capacity of the Defence Team and minimize the potential impact on the health-care system from the COVID-19 pandemic.

   Military Members
   Please discuss requirements specific to your position with your Chain of Command.

   Civilian Employees
   DND civilian employees should engage in either telework or alternative work arrangements in all cases where operational requirements and circumstances permit. Only DND staff, contractors or other embedded federal department stand who are physically required to conduct critical tasks should be on the premises. Please discuss direction specific to your position with your manager or Chain of Command.

4. How can I access the DWAN network? Access to DWAN networks will be possible through DVPNI; however, only members conducting critical core activities can access DVPNI from home. This is in effort to minimize the burden on the Information Management and IT systems. Your unit will inform you if you will be given DVPNI access.

   Anyone else working from home should use their work mobile devices whenever possible to send and receive emails.

5. When will all members be returning to the premises? At this time CFB Esquimalt will continue to have minimum employees on-site for at least three weeks as of Monday, March 16, 2020. This timeline will be adjusted as required based on how the situation evolves.

   BASE ACCESS

6. Will I be able to access CFB Esquimalt? The Base is currently closed to the public including the museum, CANEX, CPAC, Naden Athletic Centre and Wurtele Arena.

   Access to the Base is restricted to DND staff, CAF members, authorized contractors or other embedded federal department personnel who support critical core activities. Please liaise directly with your Chain of Command if you require further clarity specific to your position. Contractors required to work on Base are currently still permitted to do so.

7. Have security procedures changed?Normal security procedures for entering the Naden and Dockyard gates apply with the exception that no guests will be permitted on Base and the Pedestrian Gates will be closed.

   Gates remain manned and access control is being maintained. All those entering require approved CAF DND identification, or a valid contractor’s pass. Naden and Work Point both now have access control and those entering require approved identification. 

   Contractors seeking access to Naden and Work Point must declare what the access is for work purposes, confirm the company they work for, confirm their identity with government issued ID and confirm the location of where the work is to occur.

   BASE SERVICES

8. Can I still access administrative, IT and support services?Yes, all core activities will continue and services can still be provided by phone or email. Please refer to the list below for unit contact information.

   Base Orderly Room (BOR)
   The BOR/Fin Services will be closed but will maintain core services including Mil Pay. Emergencies will also be responded to on a case-by-case basis. Personnel requiring services, including MATA/PATA, Release, Furniture and Effects, claims, cashier, RGDF and credit cards as well as those with pre-existing appointments, should contact the BOR for further instructions.

   BOR/Fin inquiries can be made via phone at 250-363-4288 or email at ESQBADMBORRECEPTION@forces.gc.ca and will be responded to in priority sequence.

   Base Information Services (BIS)
   Base Information Services continues to maintain core services. To contact BIS, please phone 250-363-1000 or email EsqBISClientServices@forces.gc.ca.

   Maritime Forces Pacific Chaplains
   To speak to a chaplain during the day (0800 to 1600), contact the Naden Chapel Offices at 250-363-4030. Outside of regular hours, you can speak to a Duty Chaplain 24/7 at 250-818-2794.

   MFRC
   Currently, all MFRC facilities, on-site programming, daycare, preschool and out of school care are closed. During this time, MFRC staff will monitor phone lines and respond to messages. Please email jackiecarle@emfrc.com for questions or assistance.

   If you call the MFRC at 250-363-2640 and require immediate assistance, you will receive a prompt to connect with the Family Information Line (1-800-353-3329) where you can receive confidential, bilingual counselling.

   Counselling services will continue on a virtual basis and the MFRC will continue to disseminate timely information regarding deployed operations through their website and social media platforms. For more information visit https://esquimaltmfrc.com/temporary-closure-of-all-locations/

   Civilian Support Resources
   The 24-7 Employee Assistance Program continues to be available to civilian members of the Defence Team. For immediate assistance or direct access to a counsellor, please call 1-800-268-7708.

   You can also access the Public Service Healthcare Plan or use the nationwide Specialized Organizational Services.

   For more information visit https://www.canada.ca/en/government/publicservice/covid-19/covid-19-mental-health-work.html

   All BC citizens can also access to Healthlink BC 24-7 by calling 811.

9. Is the Base hospital still open?  The Base hospital continues to provide patient care during regular hours (Monday-Friday 0730-1530h).
10. Is the Dental office still accepting patients? The Naden Dental Clinic will remain open during regular business hours (0730-1530 Monday to Friday). Sick parade is at 0730. Patients will be screened by medical personnel for symptoms before entering the building. The dental clinic also remains open 24/7 for dental emergencies for asymptomatic patients. The reception voicemail (3-4149) provides the emergency contact numbers for the dental team. Symptomatic patients with dental problems after regular hours need to report to a medical facility.

    At this time, the Dental Clinic will only be providing dental care to alleviate pain, infection, treatment deemed urgent or for significant functional problems. They will also be providing routine exams/screenings for patients going on deployment or OUTCAN and will complete any dental treatment that these patients require to render them dentally fit. All non-urgent/routine treatment is being deferred at this time.

    For any concerns about risks associated with attending dental appointments, please call reception at 3-4149 or 3-5699.

11. How are military training courses being affected?Course scheduling is subject to evolving circumstances, with short notice changes or cancellations to course components possible. Every effort will be made by schools and instructors to provide students and affected members with timely information wherever and whenever possible.

    Members who are on course are reminded to keep in contact with their instructors and/or schools on a daily basis and should provide a means for contacting them directly wherever possible (by personal cell phone, email, etc.) If you have questions about courses or are looking for updated information, guidance and/or instructions, please contact your instructor or school directly.

    Please note, that courses offered at the LCC are not part of NPTG’s training system.

12. Will meals still be served for personnel living on Base?At this time, both the Nelles Galley and Venture Galley are open and providing meals to personnel on Base.
13. Can I order food to be delivered to a building on Base?Deliveries of personal goods and services are not permitted. Pick up must occur at the one of the Base gates.
14. How can I do PT if the gym is closed?Currently, both the Naden Athletic Centre and the Dockyard Gymnasium are closed. Members are encouraged to continue to conduct PT while still taking the necessary steps to stay healthy. There are many resources available online and members are encouraged to use DFit.ca to help them choose a simple and safe program to perform at home.

    The PSP team will be providing livestream workouts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11am beginning 20 March. You can join in on their Facebook page @pspesquimaltnaden

15. Can I still travel?Military Personnel
    The following direction applies to all military personnel:

    a) All CAF members currently on international leave or TD are to return to their primary place of duty as soon as possible.
    b) All Canadian-based CAF members currently on leave in the US are to return to their primary place of duty no later than 22 March 20.
    c) Class A Reservists are strongly urged to abstain from personal travel outside Canada. International travel for all other military personnel is not authorized.
    d) All personnel returning from international travel, including the US, are to self-isolate for 14 days.
    e) All domestic and international HHT are suspended for three weeks.
    f) Commercial travel to include air, rail and bus within Canada is not authorized.
    g) Domestic travel by ground is restricted within 250 km of place of work or primary residence.
    h) Members currently on domestic leave outside 250 km may continue their leave.

    Civilian Personnel
    To limit the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Canada advises that Canadians avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice. As of March 13, all business travel is suspended.

    Following updated active travel health notices, please declare any intended travel to your manager. Additionally, any staff who have chosen to engage in personal 
international travel will be required to self-isolate for 14 days as per Public Health Agency of Canada direction.
    For more information on the Government of Canada’s travel advice visit https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html

16. I’ve been seeing a lot of information being shared online and don’t know what I can trust. How can I know what’s true and what’s false?All members are encouraged to only share information from accurate and credible sources and to fact check what they see online. Be aware of your personal responsibility for the content you post on social networking sites and ensure that you are not contributing to the spread of misinformation or speculating on government decisions. The best location to find the most current information on COVID-19 is canada.ca/coronavirus or on Facebook @HealthyCdns.