Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 18

A day after a soldier of the Indian Army tested positive after returning from leave, the Army has issued instructions to allow leave only under exceptional circumstances, to prevent all functions and modify morning physical training while maintaining social distance.

The Military Operations Directorate has issued directions saying leave will be granted only on essential and compassionate grounds till situation improves. All troops returning from leave, especially from Covid hotspots and have been likely contact with persons having international travel history, should be screened and quarantined on arrival.

A soldier has been isolated at a hospital in Leh in the UT of Ladakh. His father had tested positive earlier. His sister, wife and children have also been quarantined. The family hails from Chuchot village in Leh district of Ladakh.

He was on casual leave from February 25 to March 1. During his leave period, the soldier stayed with his family as his father, who returned from a pilgrimage in Iran, had been quarantined on February 29.

The father tested positive for Covid-19 on March 6 and he was isolated at Sonam Norbu Memorial Hospital, Leh.

The soldier was also quarantined on March 7 and detected to be positive on March 16. He has been isolated. Instructions from the Military Operations says training activities can be postponed or cancelled. All collective training activities scheduled at units and brigades may be postponed. Physical training and games may be carried out while keeping in mind the minimum distance of 1 metre between individuals.

All courses due to start from March 23 or afterwards are hereby postponed. Non-essential conferences and seminars involving moving personnel may be cancelled or postponed. Entry is to be regulated to essential stores and CSD.