DT News: Task Force Surgeon of Latvia’s Enhanced Forward Presence group on soldier health and safety
Video / April 23, 2020
Transcript
(Shelley) Welcome back to Defence Team News. Like many Defence Team members here in Canada, I am teleworking to physically distance and reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Canadian Armed Forces members posted abroad have also had to implement new measures in their day-to-day work to help reduce the spread.
Today, I’m joined by the Task Force Surgeon of Latvia’s Enhanced Forward Presence group at Camp Adazi to discuss what additional measures they’re taking to preserve soldier health and safety during this ongoing mission.
Thanks for joining us, Sir. Can you describe the anti-COVID measures being taken by the Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group?
(Maj Lafleur) Sure. So we’ve adopted the strictest infection, prevention, and control measures we can. We’re focusing on hand hygiene, hand hygiene, hand hygiene. We’ve increased social distancing, so there’s two metres between people at all times. And we’ve really ramped up the disinfection so that we have roving disinfection patrols that clean all the high contact surface areas.
(S) How do these measures align with NATO, CAF and Latvian policies in relation to COVID-19?
(Maj) We’ve taken the strictest measures and abide by those. That’s the best posture we can be in to keep our soldiers safe.
(S) Why do these measures work?
(Maj) All of this is based on the best scientific evidencewe have to prevent contagion and ultimately keep our force healthy.
(S) Thanks very much for speaking with us, Major Lafleur. Anything else you’d like to add?
(Maj) Wash your hands, please. Wash your hands.