10,000 troops on standby to run ‘field hospitals’ and roadblocks
Military ready ‘to help the whole of society in this time of need’, says Defence Secretary
TEN THOUSAND troops are on standby to combat coronavirus with plans to run hotels as hospitals and man roadblocks if required. The new
Covid Support Force, made up of regular and reserve units, could be doubled to 20,000 if necessary, the Defence Secretary has announced.
Although no requests have so far been made from other Whitehall departments, the MOD says it is ready to “backfill” police in counter-terrorism tasks as well as routine duties such as roadblocks.
Ben Wallace said: “The men and women of our Armed Forces stand ready to protect Britain and her citizens from all threats, including Covid-19. The unique flexibility and dedication of the services means that we are able to provide assistance across the whole of society in this time of need. From me downwards, the entirety of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces are dedicated to getting the nation through this pandemic.”
The Daily Telegraph understands soldiers and local authorities are also being prepared to work with people suffering emotional distress during self-isolation, amid official concern over the mental toll it could take.
The urgent cross-government work will target the 1.4million Britons classified as at the highest risk from Covid-19, who it is planned will be effectively quarantined. The most vulnerable in society are understood to include organ transplant recipients taking drugs to suppress their immune systems, cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy and those with cancers of the blood or bone marrow at any stage of treatment.
People with serious chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma, or problems with their kidneys and other body systems, including all those on dialysis, are also in the plans
The Surgeon General – the Armed Forces’ chief medical officer – has been working with the NHS to see how best to deploy uniformed medical specialists. The use of tented field hospitals or the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s casualty receiving ship, the Argus, are possibilities but officials say it is more likely hotels near hospitals will be used for additional capacity, staffed by military medics. The MOD announced 150 military personnel will be trained from Monday to drive oxygen tankers to support the NHS if required.
The MOD has cancelled all rest and recuperation (R&R) for deployed forces to reduce the risk of personnel returning to active duty having picked up Covid-19 while on leave.
In a typical six-month deployment, such as the current tour of the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan, troops are entitled to a fortnight
‘The men and women of our Armed Forces stand ready to protect Britain and her citizens from Covid-19’
break back home around the middle of their time overseas. The new policy, combined with a likely 14-day isolation for new units arriving into operational areas, will ensure minimal disruption to deployed forces.
Military support to the fight against Covid-19 will be run from the Standing Joint Force Headquarters, based in Aldershot, Hants, commanded by Maj Gen Rupert Jones, the son of Lt Col “H” Jones who was killed during the Falklands War.
A ministerial statement will be laid tomorrow for the call-out of members of the reserve forces. This is a statutory requirement that allows reservists to be called up – through so-called “activation orders” – as and when required.
The MOD has confirmed a team of military liaison officers have been in Cuba, planning to return British citizens from the cruise ship Braemar.
The Telegraph understands a civilian flight will be used soon to fly holidaymakers into the Boscombe Down military airfield in Wiltshire.