COVID-19 will be prevalent for another year or more
Several foot tray mats were donated to officials of the Department of Immigration and Emigration and other state officials at the launch of the EDGENG Max Sanitising Foot Mats at Suhurupaya Building at Battaramulla this week in the presence of the Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Ms. M. Seneviratne, the Chief Guests and other heads of departments.
The sanitising foot mats have been manufactured with fibre-reinforced plastic composite material made of polymer matrix reinforced with fibres designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus by disinfecting footwear of persons entering the Suhurupaya building, where several state departments are located.
Producer of these mats, EDGENG’s Chief Executive Officer Don Ganegoda said that while studying in the US he was involved with several engineering and science projects. Having had discussions with Sri Lankans on his return he decided to bring his innovative technological products to Sri Lanka and established a BOI company in the Biyagama zone. Referring to the sanitising foot mats, he said it was light in weight, anti- corrosive and anti –microbial. EDGENG is a leading global manufacturer of Engineered Fiberglass products for Water and Wastewater, Architectural and Industrial application. Incorporated in 2008 it has since supplied a wide range of organisations with products from the standard range to project solutions.
Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Battaramulla, Dr. Jayampathy Amarasekera said that due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic engulfing the world uncertainty prevails over the virus from spreading due to non- availability of a medicine or a vaccine so far.
Availability of data shows that that the pandemic has not receded and has spread to countries such as Latin America and Africa. The COVID -19 pandemic death rate in America has neared to almost 200,000. He sounded a note of caution by saying that everyone is vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic until a cure or a vaccine is found. People should take precautions by keeping social distances, wearing of face masks and washing hands as the virus is still prevalent in the country. It has been found that a majority of Sri Lankans and others who arrive in the country are infected with the virus.
Lately many Sri Lankans have dropped their guard and are going about freely as if COVID-19 is a thing of the past whereas millions of people in the neighbouring countries have been infected with the virus.
However preventive action by the Sri Lankan government at the very inception had prevented the spread of COVID-19 spreading in the country. “We all have to live with the COVID-19 pandemic for another year or more till a remedy is found,” he said.