Three times higher rewards for soldiers helping with the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Such a decision was made at the end of the year at the Ministry of Defence. Minister Lubomír Metnar will reward soldiers for whom the fight against this disease was not only a commitment, but also a mission. Let us also remind you that during the service in Alzheimer’s centres and other places of deployment, many soldiers, unfortunately, did not avoid the coronavirus infection, and according to unofficial statistics it was at least one third of them.

“After the beginning of the first wave of the pandemic, the minister decided that these funds should be used mainly for recognition for help in the fight against covid. With regard to the development of the situation, he subsequently decided in autumn to increase this amount to almost 800 million crowns,” said spokesman of the Ministry of Defence Mgr. Jan Pejšek to Právo daily. For soldiers deployed in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, this means a one-time reward of approximately 30,000 crowns. The commanders of soldiers then decide on the real reward and its amount. They have to take into account who actually served and helped in the fight with the covid-19.

Picture: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the Integrated Rescue System and the Army of the Czech Republic, the Military Police (pictured) has also been trying to help. | army.cz

A spokesperson for the General Staff, Colonel Magdalena Dvořáková, specified that during the first wave and by the end of October, 7,000 soldiers who helped with the fight against covid have received 72 million crowns. “This means that one soldier received an average of 10 thousand crowns,” added Colonel Magdalena Dvořáková. Military doctors and paramedics were rewarded along with other paramedics in their salary for October. By doing this, the Ministry of Defence clearly shows that the help of soldiers does not go unappreciated. The question remains whether the deputies who decide on the army budget are aware of this help and whether the ten-billion loss from the defence budget will actually be reimbursed, ideally at the beginning of 2021.

The deployment of many repressive forces, i.e. the Military Police (MP), also shows that our soldiers are helping. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the Integrated Rescue System and the Army of the Czech Republic, the Military Police has also been trying to help. Whether it was guarding highly affected areas, providing comprehensive testing or assisting in social and medical facilities, the Military Police had always been present. Members of the Headquarters of MP Olomouc assisted in the covid departments of the University Hospital at St. Anna in Brno. For example, they helped healthcare professionals with the hygienic care of the patients, and generally took care of the hygiene of the environment, beds and medical devices. They also provided patients with food, transport of biological and medical material or distribution of laboratory results. “During our time in the hospital at St. Anna, we tried to help as much as we could. What was the great driving force for us was the medical staff. We had to work hard every day for three weeks, but the hospital staff has been this busy since the very beginning of the pandemic. None of them lose their energy and they still have a smile on their lips, which strengthens the morale of patients. Everyone has my endless admiration,” said Lieutenant O. H. after finishing work in Brno.