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SINGAPORE – Some ready-to-operate National Military (NSmen) will have to undergo tests for Covid-19, if proximity to other people cannot be avoided during their training, Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Tuesday (6 of October).
This additional measure, which begins in October, aims to improve the detection of Covid-19 infections and mitigate their spread, given the increase in training activities of the Singapore Armed Forces, he said in Parliament.
“For these swab tests, DSO (National Laboratories) is helping the SAF to use other methods that are more suitable for mass testing,” he said. “For example, oropharyngeal middle turbinate swabs or saliva tests.
“Initial results from trials of these two different applications have been promising with respect to the acceptability and precision of these newer methods.”
Dr. Ng was responding to a parliamentary question from MP Dennis Tan (Hougang), who asked how the Covid-19 crisis has affected SAF operations and training, and what was being done to ensure that operational preparedness and the quality of the training will not be affected.
In his response, Dr. Ng said that even though Covid-19 was rated as the proof of this generation, other security threats are not diminishing in any way.
During the breaker period, basic military training and large-scale overseas exercises were suspended, and training at the camp was postponed, but other critical operations have continued, he said.
These include island defense, protection of key facilities, maritime security, air defense, and counter-terrorism operations. The training schools that are essential to keep the units operational have also continued to operate.
Precautions have also been taken for these critical units, such as reducing the size of training groups and regular testing regimens. Some staff members conducting critical operations also had to isolate themselves in camps and bases for a period of time before and during their duties.
The SAF has coped well with the challenges posed by Covid-19, Dr. Ng said, and is progressively resuming more workouts and exercises while taking health and safety precautions.
And while the SAF contributes to Singapore’s fight against Covid-19, it will not be distracted from its core responsibilities, Dr. Ng said.
“The SAF recognizes that Singapore’s security challenges do not abate during this Covid-19 pandemic; in fact, bullies can also take advantage of the situation to harm us.
“Therefore, the SAF will continue to be vigilant and maintain its level of operational readiness through realistic training and full staffing of critical units.”
In a follow-up question, Mr. Tan asked if there were any plans for the SAF to improve its training programs locally or abroad over the next year, if the Covid-19 situation improves.
Dr. Ng said that Covid-19 cannot be a reason not to train. While adjustments have been made to allow local training to continue, many of the Army’s exercises that have been conducted abroad are subject to host country agreement.
“We keep knocking on doors to say ‘we would take steps to protect your audience, and we will make sure we are disciplined, we will make sure we are testing, but we want to start training.’
“But we can understand that this is subject to many factors. Be that as it may, where we can, we will continue and intensify local training.”
Dr. Ng emphasized that for there to be confidence to train at the desired pace, massive testing is needed.
“If you ask your tank platoons to get in and get into their tanks, they can’t practice safe distancing. And so you have to test them all. And the way to do that is to have tests that are accurate.”
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