NEW DELHI: Indian Army on Thursday (March 19. 2020) imposed a blanket ban on its personnel from tarvelling aborad amid concerns over coronavirus outbreak. A tweet from Indian Army's official Twitter handle said that a travel ban is being imposed on foreign travels for Army personnel over coronavirus concerns.
''Travel Ban for #IndianArmy Personnel. Due to prevailing situation on #CoronaVirus outbreak, a complete ban is imposed on foreign travels, including those for private visits till further orders,'' the tweet from ADGPI said.
Travel Ban for #IndianArmy Personnel.
Due to prevailing situation on #CoronaVirus outbreak, a complete ban is imposed on foreign travels, including those for private visits till further orders.#SayNo2Panic#SayYes2Precautions #HarKaamDeshKeNaam#NationFirst pic.twitter.com/zZtP4KENS3
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) March 19, 2020
It may be noted that the Indian Army has earlier postponed or cancelled all wargames and training activities in view of the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to an advisory issued on Tuesday, the leave granting authorities have been told to grant leave only on essential or compassionate grounds till the situation improves.
Troops returning from leave especially from COVID-19 hotspots or to be in likely contact with persons having international travel history may be screened and quarantined on arrival in unit, the advisory added. Further, as per the advisory, any assembly of persons beyond 50 in number is requested to be avoided.
Physical training may be carried out while keeping a distance of one metre between the personnel. The advisory said that all sports competitions are to be postponed.
In the 2-page advisory, the army has also asked the formations to regulate entry into canteens and essential item stores in shopping complexes.
All non-essential stores have been asked to be shut down. A total of 168 positive cases of coronavirus have been reported in India so far, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Thursday.
