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Diplomats abusing self-isolation facility; stern warning by Foreign Ministry
The Foreign Ministry has issued a demarche to one foreign embassy and expressed strong concern to all missions based in Sri Lanka about diplomats abusing the allowance to let them self-isolate after flying into the country.
The Government has made provision for foreign diplomats to avoid quarantine in centres and hotels. “Heads of Mission and foreign national staff of Diplomatic Missions/UN Organisations who hold Diplomatic/UN/Official Passports and their immediate family members will be permitted to self-quarantine at their residences for a period of 14 days, subject to the supervision of the respective Heads of Mission and the local health authorities,” the relevant circular reads.
The word “residences”, however, has resulted in diplomats also self-isolating in condominiums. And, according to reports, some have violated health guidelines by using common amenities like the gymnasium and pool.
By contrast, any Sri Lankan staff members of Colombo-based diplomatic missions or UN organisations will, upon their arrival in Sri Lanka after an overseas assignment or training, have to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine in a Government-approved quarantine centre.
Last month, a foreign diplomat tested positive for COVID-19 on the 12th day of his self-quarantine.
It was found that he had visited a supermarket when he was meant to be in isolation. This caused a demarche to be issued by the Foreign Ministry.
“We have a clause that lets the diplomatic community to be quarantined in their residences,” said Admiral Jayanath Colombage, Secretary to the Ministry. “It is a special privilege. We heard of a few cases where there were violations and we have written strong letters that they are jeopardising our process.”
Another communication insisting that self-quarantining diplomats must not use common amenities is also due. Admiral Colombage pointed out that many foreigners lived in condominiums or flats they had rented or bought. Others in those facilities must also take an interest in ensuring they stay in their apartments, he said.
He referred to condominium committees, security, pool attendants and other staff. While Public Health Inspectors also visit these persons, it cannot be done all the time.
“We have now indicated to diplomats that, if they are not following health guidelines, we will move them to a hotel,” the Foreign Secretary said. People were also encouraged to report violations if detected.
Meanwhile, the management committee of The Emperor condominium in Kollupitiya this week protested strongly to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa opposing the self-isolation of US Embassy staff in their block of flats.
The US Embassy recently notified The Emperor management committee that its staff would self-quarantine in their rented flats therein. The Ministry also issued instructions.
On August 26, the relevant committee wrote to the Foreign Ministry, stating that their condominium was a shared living apartment complex with common amenities such as lifts, garbage disposal areas and recreational facilities.
It has 163 residential apartments, housing diplomats from many countries, most of whom have not left Sri Lanka since the Government imposed COVID-19 travel restrictions. There are also chairpersons, CEOs and senior private sector and Government officials, senior citizens, young families with children–totaling 1,600 people with close contacts.
If, as advised by the Ministry, they were to permit US Embassy personnel to self-quarantine at the condominium, “there is a risk of infection spreading among our community if any self-quarantined persons were found to test positive for COVID-19”, the letter said.
“Therefore, our advice was that diplomats, and others returning from abroad should quarantine themselves in Government-approved quarantine centres,” it continued. “They could return to their apartments on presenting certificates issued by the health authorities.”
There was no response from the Ministry or any other Government agency to the letter, a copy of which was sent to the Sunday Times. For this reason, the management committee has written to the President.