Updated 03/13/2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Stennis Space Center
NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) management continues to work with NASA Headquarters to monitor and respond to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation as it develops. The safety of all SSC employees remains our top concern. A center leadership working group has been formed and is meeting frequently to discuss the dynamic and evolving situation; we are taking appropriate precautions to ensure our workforce is prepared to support the mission. With that in mind, please find updated SSC guidance related to COVID-19.
All visitors to SSC who have traveled to or from (or had a layover in) any international location within the last two weeks will be denied access to SSC (or any other NASA center) until they have completed 14 days of self-observation and have remained symptom free. SSC sponsors requesting visitor access need to be mindful of this policy when submitting visitor requests and enforce compliance for all potential visitors to SSC.
Additionally, a 14-day self-isolation and monitoring period shall be imposed for all SSC employees, contractors, and tenants that:
- Have been exposed to or live with someone exposed to a confirmed or presumptive case of COVID-19;
- Have returned from personal or business travel from the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Iran, or China;
- Have been in close proximity with, or live with someone that has been in close proximity with someone returning from the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Iran, or China (for personal or business travel).
Civil servants impacted by this guidance should consult with their supervisors on telework or leave options. Contractors should consult with their supervisors. Tenants should consult with their leadership. This temporary restriction also applies to all visitors coming onsite.
Effective immediately, the Stennis Protective Services North and South Reception Center personnel will ask every individual requiring badging services at SSC:
- If they feel unwell with any respiratory symptoms such as cough, fever, or shortness of breath;
- If they or someone they live with had close contact with someone with a confirmed or presumptive case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days;
- If they have traveled to, from, or through any country outside of the U.S. in the past 14 days;
- If they have been on a cruise ship in the past 14 days.
- If they or someone they live with have come in close proximity with someone returning from the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Iran, or China in the past 14 days.
If the answer is yes to any of these questions, individual(s) will be denied access and directed to contact their Stennis sponsor or supervisor. If a visitor who is conducting official business is denied access, the Stennis sponsor is encouraged to utilize IT, video and other technologies to the fullest extent possible to support planned interactions.
All SSC organizations are to report, consistent with privacy laws, any employee falling into the categories above (or otherwise) who will be self-isolating due to potential exposure to COVID-19. The following information should be sent to the NASA Emergency Management officer Kenny Volante at Kenneth.e.volante@nasa.gov or 228-688-2160:
- Number of employees (if more than one) self-isolating
- Organization of employee
- Date the self-isolation period began (for each individual employee)
- Date employee is expected to return to work after medical clearance
After proper medical evaluation, organizations should report back to Mr. Volante when each employee has been cleared to return to work.
Please note that these procedures and the list of countries may be updated as needed based on guidance from the Agency and the CDC. This 14-day center exclusion process applies to all currently badged members of the SSC workforce. All NASA, SSC contractor and tenant personnel, and management teams shall enforce strict compliance.
As the CDC recommends, call your healthcare professional if you develop symptoms and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if you have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19. If you are feeling symptomatic, please do not go to or contact the SSC clinic; you should contact your local healthcare professional by phone and they should provide you further guidance. The CDC COVID-19 website has a good list of what to look for.
Stay tuned to the NASA information page for updates, including the latest information, and FAQs.
How to Stay Healthy:
- Proper hand washing is the number one recommended practice to stay healthy in any environment.
- Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or by coughing and sneezing into your sleeve.
- Please stay home if you are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently.
Helpful Links:
Louisiana Department of Health
Mississippi State Department of Health