SALT LAKE CITY -- Everyone employed by the U.S. Defense Department, contractors, and their families are prohibited from traveling to Paris.
The sweeping directive comes from the European Central Command, or EUCOM, the U.S. military's command authority over all personnel in Europe.
Even National Guard troops have to obey the restriction, according to the Director of Operations and Training for the Utah National Guard, Colonel Brent Anderson.
"Leisure travel is not allowed at this time," Anderson said.
The Department of Defense will only allow official travel to Paris if it's approved by a General, Admiral, or the civilian equivalent, called an SES for Senior Executive Service.
"I'll tell you from my military experience, I would not have been surprised to have been given that directive if I were in the military right now," said Congressman Chris Stewart, a Republican from Utah's 2nd District.
Stewart told FOX 13 he thinks the prohibition will be short-lived and is likely more of a precaution while the investigation into the terrorist attacks on Paris is still in its current aggressive phase.
Stewart talked about issues beyond the travel restriction in an interview with FOX 13 posted to YouTube:
