(UTV | COLOMBO) – The decisions made by the National Action Committee in connection with preventing COVID-19 will be implemented after discussion with the President and the Prime Minister. Steps will be taken to protect all Sri Lankans from COVID-19 no matter how far the disease spreads across the globe, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.
Meanwhile a Health Ministry spokesman said that the National Action Committee met yesterday evening and had taken several decisions to prevent any possible COVID-19 outbreak in Sri Lanka.
Accordingly, arrangements will be made to quarantine all suspected Sri Lankan workers returning from South Korea for 14 days within their homes. They will be monitored by PHIs and MOHs.
According to the spokesman, there are about 25,000 Sri Lankans employed in South Korea. Arrangements will be made to control the entry of tourists arriving in Sri Lanka by ship. Special examination will be carried out by using special equipment for all passengers entering Sri Lanka through the Colombo and Galle harbours.
Health officers will be informed to carry out special examinations on foreigners entering Sri Lanka through all fisheries harbours. All information on tourists who arrive in groups will be obtained through their travel agents before their arrival, he said.
A total of 17 hospitals have been allocated to treat patients in case of a COVID-19 outbreak and four new quarantine centres will be opened close to Colombo, in the South, Central and North Western Provinces. Decisions were made for the Health Ministry to import facemasks if required and produce facemask locally, he added.