After a 7-week suspension, Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) recruits have headed back to Pulau Tekong to complete their Basic Military Training (BMT).
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, measures have also been put in place to allow the NSFs to book-in in a safe and orderly manner.
The Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC) gave us a glimpse of how the recruits are reporting for duty amid the pandemic in their Facebook post on Wednesday (27 May).
By now, Singaporeans would be rather familiar with the 1-metre apart rule recommended by the authorities.
While we aspire to maintain a perfect safe distance from fellow shoppers at supermarkets, these soldiers were able to find the ideal 1-metre distance even without the guidance of yellow markers on the ground.
With one hand dragging their black duffel bags, they walk in an orderly file, keeping a safe distance from one another.
The capacity of the bus transporting them to the SAF Changi Ferry Terminal has also been reduced so recruits can sit apart from one another.
Even while falling in, large gaps separate each column, spacious enough for their commanders to walk by and inspect.
Each of them was dressed impeccably in their Smart 4, donning either a surgical or reusable face mask for protection.
In contrast to this scene from a pre-Covid book-in, we can see the obvious efforts put in to ensure the soldiers’ safety.
According to the Facebook post, the BMTC is also staggering book-in times to reduce crowding.
Apart from safe distancing measures, all recruits have to complete a health declaration form on their mobile devices.
They also have to have their temperatures taken upon arrival at Pasir Ris Bus Interchange — the reporting location for the recruits.
These measures are not exclusive to SAF soldiers, recruits from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) also had to observe such safety protocols, including the use of hand sanitiser before boarding the bus.
As the recruits return for BMT, it is heartening to see them following Covid-19 regulations for their own safety.
Albeit more mafan, our recruits are doing an exemplary job, showing us the perfectly-spaced queues we can only dream of.
Featured image adapted from Facebook & Facebook.
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