The process of tracking the contacts of the two National Guard officers who were diagnosed as positive for COVID-19 will continue on Wednesday March 18.

According to Defence Ministry spokesman Christos Pieris, the first case concerns an officer who recently returned from Greece before the country falls into Category 2, a category that provides self-restraint in line with the instructions of the Ministry of Health. 

This officer, who serves in the National Guard General Staff (NGGS), has been attending meetings chaired by Minister of Defence Savvas Angelidis in recent days. 

That is the reason the Minister of Defence and employees of the Ministry were screened proactively for COVID-19 and put into self-restraint on Tuesday March 17. In addition, the NGGF building, as well as the Ministry of Defence, were disinfected. As already published the results of the Minister’s preventive examination were negative. 

As for the other officer’s contacts, his colleagues, his family circle, as well as all those who came in contact, were asked to sample a coronavirus test.

Regarding the second case of a National Guard officer found to be coronavirus-positive, he was reportedly serving at Stavrovouni and since Tuesday March 17 the collecting of specimens from conscripts, professional soldiers as well as dozens of other personnel.

The officer is estimated to be infected with the virus by a member of his family who recently traveled to Cyprus from the United Kingdom. All exits and overnight stays have been suspended in Stavrovouni camp and whereas disinfections took place.    

The news on the suspected case regarding a soldier at the Klirou camp, are positive. The NGGF was informed on Tuesday March 17 that the soldier in question was not positive to the coronavirus but would remain in self-restraint.  

It is noted that within the day (Wednesday 18/3), the results of the coronavirus test specimens are expected to be announced, some of which are contacts of the two officers. 

Also read: Coronavirus blow at National Guard – Two camps quarantined

Lieutenant General Elias Leontaris addressed his last message announcing the completion of his service as commander-in-chief of the National Guard General Staff (NGGS) and his service in the armed forces.

In his message, the Chief of the General Staff addressed the reservists, civilians and those who worked with him during his 43 years of service both in Greece and Cyprus. 

Below we quote a translation of his message:

” In just a few days, I am completing more than four decades of active service in the armed forces of Greece and Cyprus, and before taking up my uniform for the last time, I consider it my obligation to address you.  

Address you, who during the times and in various places have accepted me as your partner, superior officer or subordinate and I had the privilege of influencing or regulating your personal and professional life with my decisions or orders and represented you both domestically and abroad. 

It was really a great honor and now that the fulfilment of time is approaching I would like to thank you for what you are and for what you do.  

You, people from our active force, reserves,  and civilian personnel, represent a small proportion of our people, but you have responded to the call to serve your country and the Greek nation in a period of a peculiar warfare.  

You have accepted the challenge of excellence, you have chosen a particular way of life, and you have sacrificed a part of yourself for the common good.  

You have chosen to make the difference with your presence in every corner of the territory, land, air and sea. 

You belong to those who do not simply talk !!!!, but accept the challenges, participate in the “living” and evolution of our organization, perceive crises as opportunities, and face threats, (conventional, asymmetric or hybrid), with determination. 

Like your predecessors, you are just men and women coming from all the social classes, and all corners of Hellenism. You are the one showing great courage, commitment to purpose and commitment to duty. 

With your help:  

• We can defend our country, maintain security and stability in our region, and ensure the well-being of our people. 
• We earned the confidence of our friends and allies 
• Cyprus and Greece play a role in the international environment and the world acknowledge this with a “different view” 
• We create deterrence  and emit a powerful message to every one who threats our independence and sovereignty

You are our competitive advantage and our valuable power multiplier.

You are our military family, an institution which I invite you to embrace and reinforce its presence in society. 

Me, my wife Sonia and our children Eliana and Thanos are very aware of the particularities, challenges and sacrifices of each military family.   

We also know that the strength of our Armed Forces is our personnel and our personnel is our military family.  

We, as a family, thank you for opening your heart and welcoming us into your homes.  

A journey reaches its destination. A 43 years old journey through narrow, dirt and paved roads, forests and valleys, plain and rough terrain, remote and small or abandoned villages, towns and cities.  Along the way I met many ordinary and important people, experienced bitterness and joy, had small and great moments, and gained experiences. 

Let me close by saying that as I retire from active service, I am leaving for my new life with incredible pride and immense gratitude, not only because I became a General and Chief, but simply because I had the fortune and honor to “walk” with you and command soldiers.  

Thank you everyone and I assure you that I will remain one of you in my new life. 

Lt Gen Elias Leontaris 

Chief»