Govt. urges more public support to control spreading of COVID -19
March 17, 2020• Govt. launches National Operation Center to mitigate COVID-19
• Those who entered the country from Italy, South Korea and Iran between March 1 to 9 are urged to undergo self-quarantine.
• Passenger arrivals at BIA to be temporarily halted from March18th midnight
The Government has urged passengers, who have returned from coronavirus hit countries from March 1 to 9, to undergo self-quarantine in their homes to avoid spreading the coronavirus (COVID-19), today.
It was reported that out of 1,500, who have arrived the country during March 1 to 9 and overlooked the quarantine process, nearly 800 are residents of Puttlam district. They have been identified as a group which needs to be in the quarantine process urgently to prevent spreading the virus further.
“The second phase of the Government efforts to curb spreading COVID-19 commenced on March 10 and over 2,250 people have undergone the quarantine process, so far”, Army Commander Lt.Gen. Shavendra Silva, who has been tasked to spearhead the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), said at a media briefing held at its Centre at Rajagiriya, today. (March 17).
He said the Government had identified home-based quarantine for those, who had skipped the quarantine process at centres, as the best means to contain the spreading of the virus.
“After the closure of the airports, the virus remains domestically among those who are avoiding screening and monitoring at the quarantine centres” Army Chief said explaining the measure taken with the Police to identify and search their whereabouts.
He requested those who are in Puttlam to report to the nearest police station to get registered and if they do not adhere to instructions, the government would not hesitate to resort to some stern actions to restrict certain things in that particular area.
All information pertaining to the virus outbreak and Government decisions in this regard will be disseminated through the NOCPCO, which has brought all stakeholders involved in mitigating COVID-19 under one roof.
“We urge the public to collaborate in this national effort and to adhere to the instructions already publicized by the Ministry of Health”, Lt.Gen. Silva said.
Meanwhile, speaking at the press briefing, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said the number of COVID-19 positive cases in Sri Lanka has risen to 43.
Responding to a query raised on a possible government decision to go for an island-wide lockdown, the Minister said it would cause some serious implications and the best possible means was to mitigate spreading the disease.
She said the preventive and precautionary measures initiated by the Government had drawn international commendation including the World Health Organization(WHO).
“One out of the 43 confirmed COVID -19 positive cases reported island wide, it is unfortunate to see there is an Army Officer, who was selflessly engaged in quarantine activities,” she said.
According to Director-General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe, wife of one of the six new patients, had also been tested positive to COVID-19 while two persons who have arrived from UK and Germany, are also among the other positive cases.
“Two more patients have been reported from Kelaniya and Marawila areas” he said “ a person who had returned from Qatar has also been tested positive while residing in Udugampola”, he added.
Meanwhile, Dr, Jasinghe cautioned the public to maintain social distancing, follow sanitary advices and hygiene practices announced by the health authorities to control rapid spreading of the virus.
“If the public failed to follow those instructions and also those who feel that they have already exposed to the virus and subject to self-quarantine, the situation could escalate,” he said adding that the public has a huge responsibility in supporting the Government to contain the outbreak.
Responding to a question on spreading false information on social media, DIG Ajith Rohana, said two more individuals who had spread false rumors over social media had been identified.
“Stern legal action would be taken against those individuals who are spreading false information regarding the novel coronavirus. Over 40 suspects have already been identified over similar charges”, he said.
The National Operation Center will coordinate preventive and management measures to ensure that healthcare and other services are well geared to serve the general public in this crisis situation.
Following hotlines have been introduced for those who arrived Sri Lanka during March 1 to 15 to register with the Police.
The new hotlines are as follows:
0112 444480
0112 444481
0115 978720
0115 978730
0115 978734
In the meantime, an email address has also been introduced for this purpose - lahd@police.lk.
