Military Personnel Leave Resumes Normally Starting Today

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu]The leave for soldiers, which had been restricted to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), will be fully implemented starting from the 8th. It has been 76 days since the restrictions began on February 22.

On this day, the Ministry of National Defense announced that in line with the government's transition to 'social distancing in daily life,' soldiers' leave will be fully implemented from today. However, overnight stays and visits will be gradually implemented later, considering the occurrence of confirmed COVID-19 cases within the military and trends of community infections. The previously restricted outings for officers will also be conducted normally.

The Ministry of National Defense has enforced strict social distancing by controlling all soldiers' leave, outings, and visits since February 22, immediately after the first confirmed case within the military. Since March 22, no new confirmed cases have occurred within the military, and as the spread of COVID-19 inside and outside the military has eased recently, partial outings were allowed from the 24th of last month, but measures regarding leave, overnight stays, and visits were deferred.

The Ministry explained that the background for lifting the restrictions this time includes no additional confirmed cases after allowing outings, the domestic confirmed cases stabilizing at around 10 per day, and especially the near absence of community infections in domestic regions.

Since Private A of the Jeju Naval Unit, who was the first to be confirmed with COVID-19 in the military, was declared fully recovered on the 5th, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases within the military has remained at zero.

The Ministry of National Defense has prepared various measures to prevent the occurrence and spread of confirmed cases within the military following the full implementation of leave. They will thoroughly educate soldiers on precautions and behavioral guidelines before leave, and during leave, soldiers are required to refrain from using crowded facilities, comply with preventive measures such as wearing masks, and report any unusual symptoms such as fever to their unit starting three days before returning.

Additionally, upon return, health status including fever will be checked, and for symptomatic individuals, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing along with preventive isolation and observation measures will be conducted simultaneously.

Furthermore, to prepare for confirmed cases, military hospitals capable of diagnostic testing have been expanded, and in case of a surge in patients, Goyang Hospital is prepared to be converted into a military-exclusive infectious disease hospital.

Along with the basic life defense rules for soldiers called 'Wise Military Life 3·6·5,' the military will utilize 'social distancing in daily life' guidelines for soldiers, categorized by situation and facility.

Moreover, the military plans to implement the system under thorough quarantine measures for key personnel such as command and control room workers and major power operation staff to ensure there are no issues in maintaining military readiness.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.