The Sri Lanka Army will review its measures to take passengers to quarantine facilities after yesterday's efforts came under severe criticism, sources said.
The Government has imposed a 14-day mandatory quarantine period for passengers coming from South Korea, Italy and Iran where the Coronavirus is spreading rapidly. All passengers who arrived in Sri Lanka from these countries are being taken to several quarantine facilities as of yesterday.
However, there was widespread chaos at the Bandaranaike International Airport and at the quarantine facitilies yesterday on the first day that the measures were enforced, with many passengers complaining of poor organization and shabby treatment by authorities. On top of it all, they vehemently protested over a decision to ask passengers to pay Rs 7500 for all meals during the 14-day quarantine period.
The army subsequently announced that no fee of any kind will be charged from passengers during their stay.
Sources said the security forces will also streamline procedures that would enable the speedy transport of passengers from the airport to the quarantine facilities with minimal inconvenience and without having any of them coming into contact with outsiders. This is after several passengers being taken to quarantine centres were observed shaking hands with their family members and friends and not wearing facemasks when the buses taking them from the airport departed yesterday.
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to trace those who came into contact with the 52-year-old tour guide who became the first Sri Lankan patient in the country to be diagnosed with Covid-19.
Health Ministry officials are due to hold a media briefing later today where travel history of the 52-year-old local tour guide and the Italian tour group he had traveled with will be made public.
A Thai woman walking topless in Arugam Bay town has been arrested by the Police.
The UK government has unveiled a package of reforms to simplify imports from developing countries which allows for more garments manufactured in Sri Lanka to enter the UK tariff-free.
The Cabinet has approved a proposal for Sri Lankans overseas to apply for their passports through an online system via the Lankan diplomatic missions.
Ajith Gallage, the owner of a Bird Park in Nagarawawa, Hambantota, has been remanded over allegations of concealing illegally imported motorcycles, in a warehouse owned by him.
A passenger attempting to smuggle the largest quantity of gold of 35 kilo grams was arrested by the Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today, a senior official said.
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