More than 150 Army jawans have tested positive for coronavirus here. They were part of the contingent to take part in the upcoming Republic Day parade and the Army Day parade on January 15 here. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is the chief guest for the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations at the Rajpath.
Giving details of the corona test, sources said, “The soldiers who came in from outside to participate in various parades were tested before putting them into a safe bubble. Some of them tested positive. Almost all except seven are asymptomatic.”
These were among few thousand soldiers who have been tested, the source stated. Officials said the soldiers who tested positive were quarantined at the Delhi Cantonment where Covid-19 facilities have been set up since April.
As regards the Republic Day parade preparations, they said protocols have been put in place for safe conduct of the parade.
While unconfirmed reports suggested the upcoming Republic Day parade may be curtailed with minimal public participation, sources said plans to hold the parade on the Rajpath on January 26 this year are underway despite Covid-19 pandemic.
It was also learnt that as of now there is no proposal to cut down the number of marching contingents. They also said the thrilling fly past by the fighter jets will also take place like every year.
These contingents from the Army, IAF and the Navy besides the paramilitary forces and the Delhi Police march past the saluting base at the Rajpath and march for nearly ten kilometres to the Red Fort. The entire marching route is lined with spectators. However, in view of the raging pandemic, some restrictions may be enforced, it was learnt.
India has invited Boris Johnson as chief guest for the parade which has been accepted. The Ministry of External Affairs has already clarified that the British Prime Minister will be visiting despite the scare of the new virus strain in the United Kingdom.
Incidentally, the latest incident of soldiers testing positive comes days after a Vice Admiral of the Navy succumbed to the pandemic here. He was the senior most personnel to fall victim to COVID-19 in the three Services.
Vice Admiral Srikant died on December 15 due to Covid-19-related complications. The vice admiral, the Navy’s senior-most submariner, was due to retire on December 31.
Expressing his condolences, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, “Deeply pained at the untimely and sudden demise of Director General Seabird, Vice Admiral Srikant.”
The Ministry of Defence and the Indian Navy will always remember his stellar contributions and remarkable service to the nation, Singh noted.