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March 24, 2020 Four Italian soldiers, three from the Army and one from the Air Force, from the military contingent in Afghanistan located at the Italian military base in Herat tested positive for Covid19. The military, the Defense Staff said, were already in a preventive quarantine (foreseen by the NATO directives for the Resolute Support mission) at the time of release to the theater after screening at home at the start and negative result. They therefore had no contact with the field staff.

They are fine
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 base is secure
The Command of the Italian contingent 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 as part of the NATO Resolute Support mission aimed at guaranteeing assistance, advice and training to the Afghan Security Forces.

Same anti-covid procedures as in Italy
The Chief of SMD, General Enzo Vecciarelli, through the Interforces Summit Operational Command monitors the situation of the Italian military in all national and international missions and operations, constantly imparting 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.

Precautionary measures
In this emergency situation, the Interforces Summit Operational Command (COI) has drawn up, for some time, a directive, coordinated in synergy with the Inspectorate General of Military Health and the Ministry of Health, which concerns the precautionary measures to be adopted for the CoVid-19 emergency. The directive indicates the screening procedures for sending and returning the military / civilian personnel who work for the CEO in / from TOs / boarding on Naval Units and also screening procedures for indigenous civilian personnel and / or contractors who work at the interior of national bases / compounds.

Limited contacts with locals
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 cooperating Armed Forces are limited to a minimum, as is the case for those who work in Italy. Priority for the protection of all personnel of the Armed Forces employed in foreign or national operating theaters remains the use of the envisaged Personal Protective Equipment (DPI) and the strict application of the regulations of the Ministry of Health. Specific "Guidelines" based on the principle of "maximum precaution" were also provided to the contingents in the Theater, recalling, at the same time, the sense of responsibility of each soldier