HMS Queen Elizabeth: Coronavirus

(asked on 22nd April 2020) - View Source

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contingency plans are in place to tackle an outbreak of covid-19 on board HMS Queen Elizabeth while that vessel is on exercise.


Answered by
James Heappey Portrait
James Heappey
This question was answered on 27th April 2020

The whole of HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH's ship's company will be tested for COVID-19 prior to her departure for a period of Operational Sea Training.

The Royal Navy is well prepared to respond to COVID-19 and has well-rehearsed plans in place for dealing with health matters.

Public Health England (PHE) guidelines on social distancing will be followed by the ship's company where practical. It is acknowledged that it is difficult to socially distance within a warship, and there will be a number of essential operational and training tasks where this will not be possible.

To reduce the risk of transmission, further emphasis is being placed on the cleaning of communal areas and personal hygiene. In addition, members of the ship's company who are, or whose households are, symptomatic will be isolated before embarking, in accordance with PHE self-isolation guidelines.

QUEEN ELIZABETH will sail with a medical facility including a full complement of medical staff and doctors. Any individual who experiences symptoms will be isolated onboard in accordance with PHE guidelines and receive the appropriate medical attention.

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