Defence Secretary Ben Wallace claims ‘discipline’ of soldiers is reason army hasn’t been hit hard by coronavirus

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DEFENCE Secretary Ben Wallace claims there have been lower absentee rates in the military from Covid-19 due to the “discipline” of soldiers.

Mr Wallace said less than ten per cent of the military had taken time off because of the “discipline that’s imposed within the workplace” to regularly wash their hands.

Ben Wallace says there have been lower absentee rates in the military from Covid-19 due to the ‘discipline’ of soldiers

He added this was “much, much lower, much lower than the national average”.

Mr Wallace said similar levels of discipline will be needed when the nation goes back to work.

He said: “If you remember at the outbreak of this there was lots of talk about washing your hands, consistently making sure you wash your hands and take precautions when you sneeze etc.

“That is as important today and will be tomorrow as it was at the outbreak.

“When you walk in you wash your hands.

“You’ll take them through a route, things are marked on the carpet, and people continue through the day to take precaution.”

Stats from the Royal College of Physicians show as many as 14 per cent of NHS doctors have taken time off due to coronavirus symptoms last month.

Last month the MoD chiefs revealed 13,000 British military personnel are absent from duty because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Defence chiefs said that many were still contributing to the service from home.