Sandhurst cadets 'in isolation' after Covid-19 outbreak

Positive cases blamed on trainee officers not adhering to social-distancing rules

Four members of staff have reportedly caught Covid-19 as a result of the outbreak. MoD Crown Copyright via Getty Images

Efforts to contain a potential Covid-19 outbreak at the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy have been intensified after a surge in numbers of positive tests among the recruits.

"We have taken decisive action to put in place additional measures following an increase in positive Covid-19 tests and isolations at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst," said Brig James Carr-Smith, Commander Sandhurst Group. "By acting swiftly, we expect these measures will stop the spread of the virus and safeguard critical training.

“We take the health and well-being of our personnel very seriously and have lateral flow testing, robust social-distancing and hygiene measures in place to protect personnel and prevent further infections.”

The military academy trains officers for the British armed forces as well as cadets invited from around the world.

Stricter measures have been introduced, including a ban on unsupervised exercise, while the important Exercise Allenby's Advance has been called off.

Four members of staff have also contracted Covid-19 as a result of the outbreak at Sandhurst, which has previously trained senior British royals and has about 750 cadets.

The Daily Mail reported that the surge in cases was probably caused by officer cadets mixing together when they were supposed to be in separate bubbles.

Lt Col James Lane, a senior commander at Sandhurst, has reportedly warned of repercussions if the stricter rules failed to stop the spread.

"Due to a failure of adherence to FHPI [forces health protection instructions] and with numerous platoons affected by the current mass outbreak within the academy, the below orders are to be enacted to protect officer cadets, staff, families and contractors and are designed to break the current cycle of spread," Lt Col Lane said, according to the Daily Mail.

“Action will be taken against any staff or cadets who do not adhere to these measures," he said.

"The standard punishment for an officer cadet who transgresses is to be three work parades and for a member of staff three additional duties.

“Those in isolation must not enter the dining room. This must be made clear to all to ensure everyone understands the potential catastrophic consequences of this irresponsible action."

Officer cadets will also be banned from interacting with family and friends at Sandhurst’s gates.