The Department of Defense (DOD) on Friday tightened its COVID-19 restrictions in the midst of a rise in cases nationwide and days after Secretary Lloyd Austin tested positive for the virus. Starting Jan. 10 at 5:00 a.m., the Pentagon will reduce its occupancy limit to 25 percent or fewer, while social distancing will stay at six feet. Personnel, including fully vaccinated people, will have to wear a mask indoors unless alone in an office, eating or drinking, or in several other circumstances, according to two memorandums issued by the DOD. In a memo to staff (pdf), Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks told all supervisors to use the maximum number of telework opportunities as well as flexible scheduling. “It is my intent for you to comply with this limit to the fullest extent possible,” Hicks wrote in the directive. “We are experiencing a rapidly evolving situation and your carefully considered requests for …