An Cosantóir

44 on the 21 OCT '21. The General Staff reviewed the issues raised and provided the necessary Decisions and Guidance. The medical force protection of all personnel remains the priority of the General Staff. We will continue to monitor any further changes in measures or restriction levels to limit the spread of COVID-19, in line with Government guidance. Where necessary, JOPG meetings will be conducted followed by General Staff Decision Briefs. 1. The following Decisions were provided by the General Staff: a. Organised indoor group activities (sports, arts, culture, fitness classes) can take place in line with National and Defence Forces' guidelines, with appropriate protective measures, e.g. social distancing. b. In relation to mess bars, entry to organised indoor events must be in line with National Guidelines (i.e., showing proof of vaccination). c. Mess Functions are authorised in line with national guidelines. d. Return to Work. The phased return to the workplace will continue within National and Defence Forces' guidelines. The Defence Forces' H&S Officer has provided guidance to Fmn H&S Officers with respect to facilitating the return to work protocols for vulnerable personnel. e. The system of approval for international travel and the processing of travel arrangements will revert to pre COVID-19 procedures, with immediate effect. f. The impact of the use of Antigen testing in induction training has had a positive effect. g. Internal/external Defence Forces led Ceremonial engagements may take place in line with National and DF Guidelines. Guards of Honour to revert to full strengths as per Admin Instr A 10 (New series). Masks will be worn where physical distancing cannot be observed. h. State Ceremonial engagements will continue to take place as directed by Dept. of An Taoiseach and in line with prevailing National Guidance. Guards of Honour to revert to full strengths as per Admin Instr A 10 (New Series). Masks will be worn where physical distancing cannot be observed. i. Defence Forces Attendance at Funerals. In line with national guidelines the number of Defence Forces' personnel attending funerals is not limited once the venue can accommodate appropriate social distancing. In addition, the strength of the escort parties to line the route of a funeral can revert to the numbers permitted in line with Admin Instr A10 should there be appropriate two (2) meter spacing between individuals. 1. The following Updates and Guidance were provided by the General Staff: a. The 119th Inf Bn Chalk One began isolation in the Glen of Imaal on the 27 OCT '21 prior to deployment to UNIFIL on 10 NOV '21. b. All personnel are reminded that any person who considers that they have any medical issue that may require intervention should make a Medical Officer, medic or contracted civilian doctor aware of the issue, so that appropriate medical care can be provided without delay. c. OPERATION FORTITUDE continues with 111,054 personnel deployed on operations to date. DF support to the National Testing Capability continues. The planned withdrawal of supports to the HSE has continued in line with the proposed drawdown plan. However, due to the significant demand for testing nationally the provision of DF testers across a number of testing sites will continue. d.The medical force protection of all personnel remains the priority of the General Staff. We will continue to monitor any further changes in measures or restriction levels to limit the spread of COVID-19, in line with Government guidance. Where necessary, JOPG meetings will be conducted followed by General Staff Decision Briefs. Resource Summary of Personnel (Total) and Vehicles (Weekly) Test Centres (Daily) 106000 107500 109000 110500 112000 9/7/21 9/20/21 10/11/21 10/26/21 106828 108901 110738 111190 Personnel 0 70 140 210 280 9/7/21 10/11/21 208 262 80 65 Vehicles JTF Stats from September and October 0 10 20 30 40 9/7/21 9/20/21 10/11/21 10/26/21 34 39 32 16 9 9 9 9 Test Centres MFRs INTERNAL COMMS

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