The US naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, went into lockdown for 48 hours starting Friday night local time after two sailors tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to a statement.
Commanding officer Captain Rich Jarrett announced a measure of a modified “shelter in place,” ceasing all non-essential services and limiting movement on and off the installation.
Non-emergency base services are closed, except the commissary, a mini mart, and some food outlets. Transit on and off the base has been restricted to movement to and from appointed place of duty only or other mission-related tasks.
Jarrett said at a media briefing that the decision will be reviewed after 48 hours.
“With the unknown origins of these new cases, we need to take some immediate conservative actions to protect the health of our community until the nature of the public health threat can be characterized,” Jarrett said. “I am asking everyone to do their part to by limiting their activity to their quarters to maximum extent possible.”