The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) is quarantining submarine crews pre-deployment defence minister James Heappey has confirmed.
In a written response to a parliamentary question, Heappey wrote: “Mitigation measures are being put in place to minimise the risk of COVID-19 onboard a submarine and to maintain the health and wellbeing of their ships’ companies. The Submarine Service is following Public Health England (PHE) guidelines where practical for all personnel and, to reduce the risk of transmission, further emphasis is being placed on the cleaning of communal areas and personal hygiene.
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“Measures have been introduced prior to sailing which involve the whole ship’s company quarantining onboard the submarine. In addition, personnel who are, or whose households are, symptomatic will be isolated before embarking, in accordance with PHE self-isolation guidelines.”
On top of this Heappey added that any individual who experiences symptoms at sea will isolate and receive medical attention until they can be recovered and returned to shore.
