Another quarantined batch of 201 persons to head home today

The second batch of 208 individuals who have completed 14 days of mandatory quranatice process in Kandakadu and Punani Quarantine Centres (QC) is expected to leave for their homes today, Head of National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said. All transport facilities for this second batch will also be provided by the Army.

Earlier, a batch of 311 returnees quarantined for two weeks in Army-managed QCs, 108 from Kandakadu and 203 from Punani left for their homes yesterday in Matara, Kandy and Colombo areas in 11 buses, together with 6 trucks carrying their luggage, the Army said.

Similarly, those 17 persons detected from Jaffna district, suspicious of having contracted COVID-19 are now under quarantine in the specially set up QC at Mailady. Meanwhile, a total of 3224 individuals, including 31 foreigners are still under quarantine in 47 Quarantine Centres. 

Addressing at NOCPOC routine press briefing yesterday, Medical Specialist, Dr Paba Palihawadana, Deputy Director General of Health Services (Public Health Services) pointed out that the general public en masse need not wear face masks as such since this pandemic is not spreading that fast in Sri Lanka and only Health officials and employees have been recommended the use of those face masks as at present.

"The Public will be informed of any such need for wearing masks only if any eventuality would arise. Techniques of wearing the mask, its proper use and its removal should be done with careful precision and it would be difficult for an ordinary individual to use it. Improper use of the mask by touching it sometimes could lead to contamination of COVID-19 infection," Dr Palihawadana warned.