Restriction of Movement Quick Reference:

III MEF/MARFORJ has updated its COVID-19 mitigation measures in alignment with the Government of Japan. The following changes are effective as of March 1, 2022, for authorized travelers to Japan.

Testing Requirements (for all travelers):

• Complete pre-travel testing.
• Receive test at the airport upon arrival to Japan.
• Wait for results in designated area at the airport to avoid travel delays.

A negative test result will clear the individual to travel via follow on flight or public transportation to their final destination within 24 hours of arriving in Japan.

Restriction of Movement (ROM) Requirements:

• Up-to-date (boosted, or vaccinated and not yet eligible for a booster): no ROM required.
• Not up-to-date (eligible for booster, but not boosted): 7-day base ROM without a test, released when asymptomatic and cleared by medical; or test no earlier than day 3 and cleared out of ROM if negative.
• Unvaccinated: 7-day strict ROM without a test, released when asymptomatic and cleared by medical; or test no earlier than day 3 and cleared out of ROM if negative.

All SOFA personnel may be unmasked on base unless isolated, quarantined, under contact tracing investigation, or when requested by any facility. Off-base masking requirements remain unchanged.

Traveling to red zones in Japan will no longer incur ROM for unvaccinated personnel. Red zone areas in Japan will continue to be updated, and should be considered prior to traveling and taking leave to higher risk areas with significant COVID-19 outbreaks.

Wash your hands often

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• It’s especially important to wash:
  • Before eating or preparing food
  • Before touching your face
  • After using the restroom
  • After leaving a public place
  • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • After handling your cloth face covering
  • After changing a diaper
  • After caring for someone sick
  • After touching animals or pets
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact

• Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
• Outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
  • Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
  • Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
  • Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
  • Avoid mass gatherings, parties and other large groups where the risk of spreading COVID-19 is high.

Cover coughs and sneezes

• Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.

Monitor Your Health Daily

• Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.
• Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
  • Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.

Visit Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC) "PCS During COVID-19" dedicated webpage for more information regarding PCS movements.

https://www.mcipac.marines.mil/PCS-during-COVID-19/

Guidance for Marines regarding transportation, pets, housing, and quarantine-level-ROM associated with PCS move to Japan: Click Here

For information on Pre-Travel COVID-19 Tests click HERE

**ATTENTION PACIFIC BOUND TRAVELERS**

Two main issues have been delaying travelers from being able to board their flights. In order to mitigate denied entry to flights, III MEF/MARFORJ instructs its incoming civilian and dependent personnel to follow the below guidance.

COVID-19 TEST:

-All personnel must take a COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of their scheduled flight.

**THE AMC TERMINAL IS NO LONGER PERFORMING COVID-19 TESTS**

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS:

All SOFA status civilians are required to have a Special Issuance “No-Fee’’ Passport (SIP).

*If you have submitted for a SIP and do not possess the item yet, a memorandum from a DoD passport agent stating the SIP application was submitted will suffice.

For additional questions and guidance please follow the below links:

• AMC Seattle Gateway: https://www.mcchord.af.mil/About-Us/AMC-Seattle-Gateway/

• Relocation info for Okinawa: https://www.mccsokinawa.com/welcomeaboard/

• Relocation info for all USMC installations: https://www.mccsokinawa.com/relocation/

• MARADMIN 348/21: https://www.marines.mil/.../reinforcing-guidance-for.../

Do I need a COVID-19 test before entering Japan?

THREE COVID19 TESTS REQUIRED – Before Departure, Upon Arrival, & 3 Days After

To further increase mitigation to prevent the spread of COVID19, USFJ has adopted COVID19 testing upon arrival for international arrivals at US military installations throughout Japan. Arrival by Patriot Express or MilAir will include a COVID19 test upon arrival into Japan.

This is in addition to the pre-departure COVID19 test required 72 hours prior to all departure flights to Japan. It is also in addition to mandatory mask wear for all SOFA members upon arrival into Japan until at least day five and a negative COVID-19 test.

It is in further addition to the 7 day Restriction of Movement to the installation for all personnel upon arrival.

Those traveling through commercial airports into Japan will receive their arrival COVID19 test at the commercial airport.

All of these requirements apply regardless of vaccination status.

U.S. personnel throughout Japan continue to be required to abide by local community mask wearing guidance while off-installation.

USFJ continues to monitor and adjust COVID19 mitigation measures in cooperation with GOJ counterparts. USFJ has acted promptly to mitigate risk to servicemembers, families, and the surrounding community, including holding violators accountable under authorities uniquely available to military commanders.

Do I need a Pre-Travel COVID-19 Test?
Almost all international travel requires a COVID-19 test within 3 days of departure. When in doubt, assume that one is needed. TFSG tests 48 hours prior to departure in case of flight delays to prevent the need for retesting. There is no requirement for domestic pre-travel testing within Japan at this time.

Who do I need to call to set up my Pre-Travel Test?
Each unit has a representative who is responsible for coordinating your test in advance. Contact your unit representative as soon as you have flight information (whether official travel or for leave), then reaffirm 5 days before your flight that you are on the list. If you are unsure who your unit COVID-19 representative is, email Task_Force_Safeguard_Operations@usmc.mil to find out. You will receive an auto reply with all COVID-19 representatives listed.

Where and when do I go for my Pre-Travel Test?
Pre-travel test collection hours are 0730-1000, seven days a week at the USNHO Drive Through. See Figure 1 for directions.

Figure 1
Do I need my results to board the plane or will medical tell me my results?
You must print your results and be prepared to present your paper documentation in order to board the plane.
Additionally, for people flying commercially, you should bring the memo that explains test results for airline personnel. Copies of this in English, Japanese, and Korean are on USNHO’s webpage.

What if my test returns positive?
Public Health will reach out to you immediately. All normal protocols to establish medical care, isolation, and contact tracing will be followed. Quarantine will be arranged for family members and other close contacts. If they were planning to depart on the same flight, they will need to remain on Okinawa and your unit and AMD will work to rebook all of you.

How do I obtain my results?
For those with TriCare, test results will typically be posted with your TriCare Online account on the evening of the day following your test collection.
For those without TriCare, please drop off a completed DD-2870 (boxes 1-13) at the time of your Drive-Thru test. Explain your flight information in Box 8; an example is on the USNHO webpage. Your result will be emailed to the address you provide on the next calendar day.

How much will the test cost?
For Active Duty, AD Family members, and DoD civilians traveling on orders, there is no cost. For contractors and for family members of civilians traveling on orders, there may be a bill generated. If it is generated, it may be able to be waived. The rules here continue to fluctuate, and we appreciate your patience with the process.
For anyone going on leisure travel, a bill will likely be generated. The cost of the test is $51.33. For questions about the billing and reimbursement process, please contact the Billing Office at DSN (315) 646-7213 or at 098-971-7213 from off-base.

I have recovered from COVID-19. Do I still need the test?
If you have had COVID-19 within the last 3 months, you do not need to be retested. Bring your isolation discharge paperwork with you to the AMC. 

I’m fully vaccinated. Do I still need the test?
Thank you for getting vaccinated! As you know, the vaccine is safe and very effective at preventing COVID-19 disease (symptoms). At this time, yes, the pre-travel test is still needed. This policy may change in the future as science develops.

For Hawaii travel, is there anything else I need to do?
Yes. All travelers going to Hawaii should visit https://dod.hawaii.gov for the latest information.
In order to meet Hawaii’s Safe Travel Program requirements, an additional document is required, which will be produced by Task Force SAFEGUARD. If the result is negative, they will input the information on the additional paperwork and call to inform the individual the paperwork is ready for pick up. Personnel may pick up this paperwork at TFSG, directions are provided below in Figure 2.