Navy bases near Tokyo further restrict movement following coronavirus emergency declaration

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — The declaration of a public health emergency by U.S. Forces Japan on Monday prompted commanders at two naval bases near Tokyo to tighten restrictions on sailors and civilians.

At Naval Air Facility Atsugi, commander Capt. Lloyd Mack implemented a shelter-in-place order Monday night to “further limit movement and potential for exposure,” he said in an announcement on the official base Facebook page Monday evening.

“Shelter-in-place does not confine anyone to their homes, barracks or off-base residences,” Mack said in a video posted to the Facebook page. “It simply restricts all unnecessary movement about the base or off base.”

The public health emergency gives commanders authority over the civilian dependents and employees, including contractors, on their facilities. Under previous restrictions, most civilians were simply encouraged to abide by travel and other limits imposed on service members.

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