A special overseas trip
In the context of the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the overseas trip was special to all participating troops, especially those who set foot on the land of birches for the first time. Soon after the plane landed safely at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow, instead of unbuckling seatbelts and retrieving their luggage as usual, all the passengers were requested not to leave their seats before fulfilling a health declaration form. Each member was given a Russian-English paper to fill in their personnel information and declare the results of their COVID-19 tests that were conducted three days before the trip to Moscow. During the nine-hour flight, all of the passengers strictly observed COVID-19 prevention and control regulations, including wearing face-masks and medical gloves.
While completing the medical reports, Russian medical staff in protective clothing measured the body temperature of each member the Vietnamese contingent. After all medical reports were confirmed, the delegation was allowed to get off the plane and advance to the customs and immigration area where the Russian staff were all wearing masks. Having completed all entry procedures, the participating teams of the Vietnam People’s Army were taken to their accommodations in Moscow.
    |
 |
|
The contingent members have their body temperature checked. |
Hosting the Army Games 2020 amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19, the Russian Ministry of Defense requested participating teams to show their COVID-19 negative test results and test for SARS-CoV-2 during a three-day quarantine period at their accommodation establishment.
A miniature training ground
For each member of the Vietnamese delegation participating in the Army Games 2020, the quarantine period is busy time as all of them must take full advantage of space and time to practice for the upcoming international event to affirm the competence, combat readiness capabilities, and intelligence of the Vietnam People’s Army. More significantly, they have to observe the pandemic prevention and control regulations of the host country.
To fulfill both missions, each team assigns an officer to measure body temperatures and log the health information of other members. They also turn their rooms into miniature training grounds to improve their physical fitness and learn about weapons and equipment, which will be used during competitions, before practicing with real ones.
|
|
 |
|
Doing exercise to keep fit |
According to Senior Colonel Bui Danh Hieu, Head of the Sniper Team, after arriving at their accommodation establishment, his team’s members started studying regulations of the games, reviewing coordination techniques, doing exercises, and conducting extra-curricular training sessions.
Similarly, while observing quarantine regulations, the personnel of the Artillery Team must strictly execute laws of the host country and rules of the games. Meanwhile, Gunner No.1 of the battery started practicing calculating coordinates to hit targets.
The Chemical Team was asked to stay in the Slavyanka Hotel in Moscow and strictly observe the COVID-19 social distancing regulations. All the team members take advantage of their rooms and staircases to enhance their physical fitness and their endurance while actively studying regulations and tactics.
Meanwhile, the Russian side is also doing a good job in protecting the health of participating contingent, including the Vietnamese one, said Senior Colonel Ngo Van Dinh, Head of Chemical Team.
While serving the Vietnamese team during the quarantine period, service staff of the host country strictly follow COVID-19 prevention and control regulations, such as wearing facemasks and gloves. Russian officers always bring hand sanitizer liquid to wash their hands and clean door handles.
Reported by reporters of the People’s Army Newspaper (From Moscow, Russia)
Translated by Tran Hoai