Evacuees From Iran Return Home From Naval Quarantine Camp
The Indian Navy Quarantine Facility at Material Organisation, Ghatkopar, Mumbai has silently and successfully completed the task of quarantining 44 evacuees (including 24 women) from Iran. In all, the 44 individuals spent 30 days in the facility commencing 13 Mar 20, ending with each testing negative for COVID-19 on 28 Mar.
A dedicated team of medical staff from the Navy worked to monitor the health of the evacuees. They were supported by a team of conservancy personnel and other staff to take care of the cleanliness of the facility, their comfort and well being. According to the navy spokesperson, the meals provided were prepared under strict supervision and customised to meet any special requirements.
A navy officer said: "The nationwide lockdown with limited availability of stores posed additional challenges that were overcome by innovation and resolve. Further, the evacuees' stay was extended as they had no means of travelling to their homes in Srinagar and Ladakh." Consequently arrangements were made to airlift them using IAF aircraft and on 12 Apr 20, a C-130 aircraft has flown these individuals back to Srinagar. For the return journey, each evacuee was given packed food, refreshments and two hand stitched masks, courtesy NWWA Ghatkopar.
Last week, Indian Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh addressed the forces said: "We are really the last bastion in the national effort against the pandemic."
"We also have to make sure that our operational assets, especially ships and submarines, remain free from the virus," he said.
The Navy chief pointed out that physical distancing remains a challenge for any warship or submarine. "This requires us to apply ourselves, to make sure that our personnel and our readiness is not compromised. Follow physical distancing norms; adhere to advisories; screen personnel, using the word ''physical'', because socially in the Navy we remain cohesive and close, but physically we will maintain distance," Navy Chief said.
Taking clue from a major Covid-19 fallout abroad USS Theodore Roosevelt, a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, more then 600 person have tested positive for Covid-19. There were 4,865 crew onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt. Its captain, Brett Crozier, was relieved of duty for sounding the alarm about an outbreak on the ship and that became the biggest faux pas for the US defence establishment for its lack of handing the crisis in the hindsight.
The Indian Navy said it is committed to assist the national effort in the fight against COVID-19 and stands ready to aid the citizens of India and the civil administration in every manner possible.
