Army to review quarantine efforts after criticism

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.