Reagan was last in port in Guam, where her crew were allowed to disembark for a "safe haven" shore leave in a designated area of the pier and an adjacent beach. The positive cases were identified the day after she left port.
The Navy is still investigating the source of the infections, which occurred despite the intensive prevention protocols that the service has deployed to keep its sailors healthy and its ships operational. The "safe haven" liberty is a key part of this strategy, allowing sailors an opportunity to stretch their legs without the risk of COVID-19 exposure from the shoreside population. Except for a small number of people with duties related to the ship's arrival, no crewmembers may interact with other personnel outside of marked liberty areas during a safe haven call. USS Blue Ridge, USS Bunker Hill, USS Nimitz, USS Sterett, USS Ralph Johnson and USS Rafael Peralta have all completed similar liberty calls at Guam in recent months.