Tinker Air Force Base declared a health emergency on Thursday and has implemented mandatory mask use on base as COVID-19 infections continue to rise in the Oklahoma City area.
Tinker Installation Commander Col. Paul Filcek said the “increasing risk to force and risk to mission with COVID-19 cases on the rise in Oklahoma, the surrounding counties and Tinker AFB” were the reasons for the declaration.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health on Thursday reported 2,101 new COVID-19 cases. The state’s cumulative number of cases during the pandemic is 129,873.
Oklahoma’s 7-day average of new infections is now nearly 1,400, the highest rate yet during the pandemic.
Filcek said the emergency order will be in effect for 30 days and that masks will be required inside effective immediately.
Filcek said masks are not required when alone in an office and not required if it interferes with mission or proper wear of mandated personal protective equipment.
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