US Navy personnel arriving in Bahrain from high-risk countries affected by coronavirus (Covid-19) have been instructed to quarantine themselves at home for 14 days.
Contingency measures have also been put in place by the Fifth Fleet in Juffair, restricting travel of sailors to the affected countries and further cutting down their leave.
“No personnel (in Bahrain) has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus,” Fifth Fleet spokesman Commander Joshua Frey told the GDN.
“The US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) is in full compliance with the Health Ministry (Bahrain) guidelines, with Department of Defence (DoD) personnel entering Bahrain from high-risk countries directed to execute a 14-day quarantine – with testing provided at entry.
“As a further precaution, NAVCENT is currently minimising personal leave and travel to at-risk nations, as designated by the World Health Organisation and Bahrain.”
Cdr Frey said the base was following all protocols set by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US and local authorities including the BDF Hospital and the National Health Regulatory Authority.
Bahrain is home to more than 8,500 US military members and their dependants, including children who study at the Bahrain School in Juffair.
The school, part of the Department of Defence Education Activity (DoDEA), is closed to students through March 24, announced principal Shana Seawright, while assuring that digital learning plans continue to support pupils.
Cdr Frey said that in addition to Bahrain’s dedicated hotline for Covid-19, 444, the base has also set up its own hotline which is of the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain Navy Medical Training and Readiness Unit (clinic), 17854260.
Prevention
“NAVCENT continues to encourage DoD personnel and their families to practise standard preventive measures as they would for any viral illness to include frequent hand washing, covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, and staying home if feeling unwell.
“Personnel are advised, if symptoms develop, they should limit exposure (to include donning a mask, if available) and contact appropriate medical personnel via Covid-19 hotlines for additional medical guidance.
“As always, medical readiness, safety and well-being of our personnel and their families remain our top priority.”
The only US soldier who tested positive for Covid-19 was stationed at Camp Carroll in South Korea, prompting the US government to take a series of measures that included ships to stay at sea for 14 days after visiting any port in Europe.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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