Afghanistan: positive 4 Italian soldiers at COVID19

(To Greater Defense)
24/03/20

Four Italian soldiers (3 EI and 1 AM) from the military contingent in Afghanistan located at the Italian military base in Herat tested positive for COVID19. The military was already under preventive quarantine (foreseen by the NATO directives for the mission Resolute Support) upon admission to the theater after screening at home on departure (negative). They therefore had no contact with the field staff.

Immediately after activating the necessary health care procedures, it was found that the military is well and immediately began the planned period of isolation and health surveillance at the base, during which the necessary care will be ensured by the contingent's military health personnel.

The Italian contingent command has activated all the procedures provided by the health protocol which in no way at the moment have reduced the operations of the TAAC-W which continues to operate regularly within the scope of the NATO mission Resolute Support aimed at guaranteeing assistance, advice and training to the Afghan Security Forces.

The head of SMD, general Enzo Vecciarelli, through the Interoperable Summit Operations Command monitors the situation of the Italian military in all national and international missions and operations, constantly issuing specific precautionary measures to protect personnel.

The soldiers engaged in mission / operation abroad follow the indications of the Ministry of Health in the same way as those employed at national level. In this emergency situation the Interoperable Summit Operations Command (COI) has long drawn up a directive, coordinated in synergy with the General Inspectorate of Military Health and the Ministry of Health, concerning the precautionary measures to be adopted for the CoVid-19 emergency. The directive indicates the screening procedures for sending and returning military / civilian personnel working for the AD in / from TOs / embarking on naval units and also screening procedures for indigenous civilian personnel and / or contractors operating at internal of national bases / compounds. Furthermore, in this situation, while respecting the tasks assigned to maintain the adequate level of effectiveness in carrying out the mission, contacts with the local population and with any foreign FFAA in cooperation are limited to a minimum, as happens for those who work in Italy.

Priorities for the protection of all FFAA personnel employed in foreign or national operational theaters, however, remain the use of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided for and the strict application of the rules of the Ministry of Health. Specific "Guidelines" were also provided to the contingents in the Theater based on the principle of "maximum precaution" while recalling the sense of responsibility of each soldier.

Photo: SMD archive