The armed forces test against Coronavirus comes now CENJOWS 04 Apr 2020
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https://cenjows.gov.in/article-detail?id=253
The armed forces test against Coronavirus comes now 04 Apr 2020
All essential services of the nation are working in unison, despite any set of shortcomings, to control the spread of the Coronavirus. The armed forces have established isolation centres run by its medical staff. Hospitals and doctors are on the alert in case there is a spike in casualties. The air force has been involved in movement of essential medical stores across the country as also in casualty evacuation globally.
Internally, by adopting proactive measures, the armed forces establishments have been able to shield themselves from the impact of the virus. There have been three recorded cases of the virus within the army, none reported from the other services. The major test for the armed forces would come when the lock down is lifted.
Currently, based on directions of service HQs, all personnel already on leave have had the same extended till 15 Apr, as air, train and road transport services have been suspended. At any one time, almost 20% of armed forces personnel are away on leave. Simultaneously, those who were to proceed on leave were directed to remain at their locations till the lifting of the lock down.
Come 15 Apr, there will be a rush of personnel waiting to re-join their establishments, while many would be seeking to proceed on leave. Soldiers who re-join would be travelling by trains and other public transport which remain prone to spreading of the virus. Handling this mass movement in and out would be a challenge for the forces. The problem would be compounded in operational areas as troops returning and proceeding on leave move through transit camps. These camps cater for multiple units spread across a vast region and have limited accommodation capacity, which would make social distancing difficult.
The Indian armed forces cannot afford a situation as it happened on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt, where 93 sailors tested positive for the virus compelling the US navy to quarantine the entire crew. In army units, mainly in operational areas as also on naval ships, personnel live in close contact with each other, sharing the same facilities. Hence, the possibility of the spread of the virus is high, even if a single carrier exists. The army cannot afford to quarantine complete units in operational contact. At the same time, it cannot risk health of troops. Hence, it needs to evolve a strategy for handling the return of its soldiers from leave.
This strategy must be evolved early as relevant information must trickle down to units as also to those on leave. The army needs to consider following aspects before finalizing its approach. Firstly, the movement will be from across the country, hence would be difficult to determine if it is a hotspot or not. Secondly, having its soldiers tested in civil establishments prior to move is not possible as most states are busy testing only those with symptoms. Thirdly, the availability of space for segregation, isolation, testing and quarantine in major establishments and transit camps. Fourthly, the incubation period of the virus, which ranges upto two weeks or more. Finally, should it also allow families who have proceeded to their home- towns to return.
There are broadly three options available to the army. The first is staggering the return of those on leave based on available capacities at receiving stations. An easy method of implementing this option is by ensuring that individuals from specific formations or units arrive at their destination on same dates. This implies that those arriving on a specific date are isolated in one set of accommodation. Those arriving on another date in another set.
It adds to administrative issues but once they report the responsibility of their medical testing and isolation is of the concerned formation to which they belong. In this case returning soldiers are responsible for their move arrangements to unit locations, implying move in trains where there is always a possibility of picking strains of the virus. In addition, the stagger would need to be prolonged as the period for isolation must be considered.
This would also impact those awaiting to proceed on leave as in operational areas a minimum strength must be maintained. Another drawback is that in case a soldier is detected with the virus it would be difficult to determine if he contacted it either on his journey or while on leave. In any case, the civil administration at his place of residence would need to be informed to further examine those he had been in contact with.
The second option is to nominate static units or formations across the country where those on leave are directed to report. These include training centres and station HQs. These exist in almost every state. Soldiers are isolated, tested and if necessary quarantined in these locations, away from their units and formations, though still close to their places of residence. The numbers reporting to these locations would not be as large as being unmanageable. This has the additional benefit that in case an individual is detected with symptoms, the state authorities can act and check those the soldier was in contact with while on leave.
Once cleared medically they are either despatched centrally in coordination with the railways in specific coaches, civil airlines or air force transport aircraft. Use of air for such moves restricts contact and prevents the spread of virus, hence cost should not be a binding factor with health being a primary concern. This has the advantage that operational units receive those who have been medically cleared. Rail move, unless by special coaches opens those travelling to similar risks leading to multiple checks prior to soldiers joining units.
A third option is a combination of the earlier two, where soldiers moving to operational areas undergo screening at select static units and training centres, while those moving to locations in peace, report in a staggered manner to their own units. Movement forward to operational locations is by air. This would reduce burdens at all levels and be economically viable. It would provide operationally deployed units only those who have been medically cleared, relieving them from further testing.
Whichever option the armed forces select, currently move should only be permitted for individuals, not for families. Families should only move once normalcy has been restored.
Whichever option the armed forces adopt, they need to act and convey necessary directions to its formations and all on leave. Static formations being made responsible also need to make necessary arrangements for testing, isolation and quarantine. This mass movement is a major test for the armed forces. They have maintained their guard and safeguarded their men till date. This should continue. A similar model can be adopted by CAPFs for their own personnel.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army