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SINGAPORE: Some Operationally Ready National Military (NSmen) will be required to undergo COVID-19 testing starting in October, if proximity to others cannot be avoided during training at the camp.
This is an additional measure to improve the detection of COVID-19 infections, as more training activities have resumed, Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said in Parliament on Tuesday (October 6).
“DSO (National Laboratories) is helping SAF (Singapore Armed Forces) to use other methods that are more suitable for mass testing. For example, oropharyngeal middle turbinate swabs (OP-MT) or saliva tests,” said the Dr. Ng.
“The initial results of our trials in these two different applications have been promising with respect to the acceptability and precision of these newer methods.”
READ: SAF will progressively resume NS training at camp, IPPT from October with COVID-19 security measures
Responding to a question from Workers’ Party Member of Parliament Dennis Tan about how COVID-19 has affected SAF operations and training, Dr. Ng noted that critical operations such as island defense, protection of key facilities , maritime security, air defense and the fight against terrorism, continue all day.
“They never stopped, whether during the ‘breaker’ period, before that, or even now. They will not stop,” said Dr. Ng.
In addition, essential training at the camp has continued, as well as training schools that are essential to sustain operational units, namely the Officer Cadet School and the Specialized Cadet School.
“But to make sure the SAF maintains REDCON 1 (readiness condition 1) throughout the entire duty period, some staff members performing critical operations have to isolate themselves in camps and bases for a period of time. they were ready and free of infection, before their duties began, “he said.
Some of them stayed in the camp for two weeks away from their families as a cohort, before starting their duties and during their operational duties.
This is in addition to safe distancing and measures such as reducing the size of training groups.
READ: Away from the family to defend the skies: Some RSAF team members live on base as part of COVID-19 adjustments
For other SAF trainings, Dr. Ng said the interruptions corresponded to the COVID-19 restrictions imposed on the general public, noting that basic military training and large-scale overseas exercises were suspended during the period of the “Automatic switch”.
SAF HAS “FACED WELL” THE CHALLENGES OF COVID-19: DR NG
Responding to Mr. Tan’s question about how SAF has managed to ensure that it is operationally ready and that the quality of training is not compromised, Dr. Ng said: “I think SAF has met the challenges well. caused by COVID-19.
“In addition to maintaining its core functions and military training, the SAF strongly supported our nation’s fight against COVID-19.”
READ: SAF will ‘comprehensively review’ how it operates, trains and works amid the COVID-19 pandemic
More than 6,000 personnel from the Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) and the SAF were mobilized and deployed in a wide range of operations and national task forces.
These ranged from leading contact tracing operations, caring for migrant workers in dormitories, converting and managing SAF camps as community recovery facilities, as well as providing care to medical patients.
READ: RSAF has reduced local training ‘where possible’, measures to reduce noise: Ng Eng Hen
“While the SAF contributes to Singapore’s fight against COVID-19, it will not be distracted from its core functions,” added Dr. Ng.
“The SAF recognizes that Singapore’s security challenges do not diminish during this COVID-19 pandemic; in fact, we assume that attackers can take advantage of the situation to harm us,” he said.
“Therefore, SAFs will continue to be vigilant and maintain their level of operational readiness through realistic training and the full staffing of critical units.”
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