Implementation of Phases
The timeline for moving through the 3-Phase process will be dependent upon the ability to minimize and control exposure and infection levels and to maintain a constant decrease over time. NCA will meet all criteria and parameters in Department guidance, along with specific criteria outlined in this document.
Phase 1
Public Facing Operations that Support Veterans
• • National cemeteries remain open for visitation.
• • Cemeteries conduct direct interments of casketed and cremated remains.
• • Direct interments may be witnessed by immediate family upon request (limited to 10 or fewer witnesses).
• • Virtual memorialization options are made available for families.
• • Committal services and military honors remain suspended.
• • Ceremonies and other broadly attended events remain postponed.
Activities to Protect the Workforce
• • Allow employees in high risk populations and vulnerable individuals as defined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to continue telework.
• • Continue use of telework and consideration for rotations of a recommended percentage of staffing cohorts (e.g., 25%) for NCA Central Office (NCACO) based employees.
• • Cemetery team members will continue working at national cemetery sites, using team rotations as supported by workload and staggering shift schedules to support distancing in common areas (locker rooms, break rooms, etc.) and minimize equipment sharing.
• • Close common areas, to include Public Information Centers, Administrative Buildings.
• • Enforce strict physical distancing protocols at all facilities.
Phase 2
Public Facing Operations that Support Veterans
• • National cemeteries remain open for visitation.
• • Resume committal services and military honors with attendance limitations/at-risk population disposition in accordance with CDC-recommended guidelines.
• • Allow ceremonies and events where projected attendance/at risk populations disposition is within CDC-recommended guidelines
• • Schedule and conduct memorial services (in lieu of committal services) for all direct interments conducted as of 3/23/2020.
• • Schedule and conduct interments postponed by families due to COVID restrictions.
Activities to Protect the Workforce
• • Continue use of telework and consideration for rotations
• • Cemetery team members will continue working at national cemetery sites, using team rotations as supported by workload and staggering shift schedules to support distancing in common areas (locker rooms, break rooms, etc.) and minimize equipment sharing.
• • Open common areas, to include Public Information Centers, Administrative Buildings, with access restrictions ((e.g., limiting number of individuals entering at any one time) if they adhere to standard sanitation protocols. with attendance limitations/at-risk population disposition in accordance with CDC-recommended guidelines.
• • Enforce moderate physical distancing protocols at all facilities.
Phase 3
Public Facing Operations that Support Veterans
• • National cemeteries remain open for visitation.
• • Conduct committal services, military honors, and public ceremonies and events normally and consistent with best practices in social distancing.
• • Schedule and conduct memorial services (in lieu of committal services) for all direct interments conducted as of 3/23/2020.
• • Schedule and conduct interments postponed by families due to COVID restrictions.
Activities to Protect the Workforce
• • All employees will return to work sites in accordance with re-entry plans and resume normal schedules.
• • Reopen common areas provided they adhere to standard sanitation protocols.
• • Enforce limited physical distancing protocols at all facilities.
