NEW DELHI: The army has postponed all its courses that are starting from the coming Monday, while the National Defence College under the defence ministry where senior foreign military officers study with officers from the Indian defence services has been temporarily closed, as part of precautionary measures in view of the coronavirus outbreak.
Some of the army courses that have been postponed include the senior command course, meant for officers taking on command appointments. Officials also said that courses that are in progress will continue with precautions. The army has also cancelled non-essential training, conferences and movement in view of the pandemic.
“As precautionary measures to curb the spread of coronavirus in the army, courses starting from coming Monday have been postponed. Courses in progress continue with precautions. All non-essential training, conferences and movement have been cancelled. All precautions are being taken,” an official said.
Officials also said the National Defence College (NDC) has been closed till March 31. The NDC imparts training in national and international security related fields to the selected senior defence, civil services officers and officers from friendly foreign countries.
Last week, the army had postponed all its recruitment rallies by one month. The army also restricted travel to essential duties only and instructed on instead using video conference facilities. The army had also issued an advisory to all its formations to avoid “non-essential” mass gatherings such as festivals and visits to crowded areas like movie halls and shopping malls.
The army is running quarantine facilities at Manesar and Jaisalmer for Indian citizens evacuated from places such as Wuhan, Italy and Iran. Similar quarantine facilities are also being established at Jodhpur, Jhansi, Binnaguri and Gaya.
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