From the government to private corporations and now the military: Nobody is taking chances when it comes to stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Now, two days after the first soldier tested positive for the coronavirus in Leh, the Southern Naval Command in Kochi has stepped up safety measures as part of its anti-coronavirus drive.
Both INS Vendurathy in Kochi and INS Dronacharya in Fort Kochi have initiated a slew of measures to ensure community hygiene measures such as social distancing and avoiding unnecessary movements in and out of the naval bases.
All the departments in the base have shifted to 50 per cent staffing including industrial departments such as Naval Ship Repair Yard and Naval aircraft yard which have a large number of civilian employees.
All duty movements of the uniformed and civilian personnel have been restricted to bare minimum.
All civil construction and other works inside naval premises have been curtailed to those immediately required. Long term projects have been indefinitely suspended.
All eateries, wet canteens as well as INCS (Indian Naval Canteen Service) have been closed till further orders.
These measures have been intended to avoid unnecessary and large gatherings of people at the naval base entrance, which would be contrary to the social distancing requirements.
Strict scanning and assessment of mandatory and unavoidable visitors, workers, staff, service members and civilians has been put in place. The entry of required work force is being done in staggered timings and with multiple scanners so as to avoid inconvenience to the personnel and preventing crowding while ensuring necessary scanning and distance protocol.
All personnel are requested to avoid coming to the naval base unless specifically called on duty or if it is absolutely unavoidable. Those who are not detailed for work or who have been asked to stay away are advised to cooperate and avoid confusion at the gate.
