Indian Army: Coronavirus: Army checking soldiers for flu symptoms, suspends training and recruitment activities

NEW DELHI: The Indian Army, which reported its first case of coronavirus in Leh, on Wednesday announced suspension of wargames, conferences and training activities as part of precautionary measures and said it will be checking the soldiers for flu symptoms on their return from leave.

The Army has also stopped the recruitment drives across the country, including the Service Selection Board (SSB) exams.

Army officials said they issued an advisory that all wargames and conferences will be postponed. Training activities have also been postponed or cancelled till further orders.

At some locations, they said, the Army has also placed soldiers under quarantine after their return from leave. At other locations, it is checking for symptoms of flu among soldiers and has asked its personnel to avoid non-essential travel.

The officials said they have advised authorities to grant leave only on essential or compassionate grounds till the situation improves. In order to avoid travel, those who are already on leave have been told to extend their holiday.

The Air Force too has announced postponement of the Air Force exams which was scheduled later this week.

The Indian Army reported its first case of coronavirus after a 34-year-old soldier from the Ladakh Scout regiment tested positive for the infection in Leh, army sources said on Wednesday as the total number of cases in India climbed to 147.

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