Sri Lanka police teams deployed in carrying out COVID-19 quarantine process

Sri Lanka police are being engaged in the quarantine process and crack down on persons concealing COVID-19 symptoms as well as those who are spreading misinformation via social media.

A team consisting of seven police officers, from every police station has been assigned for the quarantine process, a senior police officer said adding that they are fully geared to carry out quarantine activities.

Several police stations were in operation with a total strength of 2306, he disclosed.
 
Anyone found hiding symptoms of the new coronavirus in Sri Lanka will be liable for a six-month imprisonment, he said.
Police have received information relating to individuals who had avoided going into quarantine centres after arriving from virus-affected countries.

In an effort to curb the spreading false information police have already launched investigations to apprehend 40 suspects for spreading misinformation via social media over the coronavirus, police said.

“The passengers, who had arrived from coronavirus-hit countries and hiding to evade quarantine, will be instructed by the Police and army soldiers in the respective areas to submit the relevant information to them to be quarantined in their own houses by staying indoors,” the Defence Ministry said.

The ministry urged those who arrived from coronavirus hit countries to come forward to declare that they had returned from European countries and other countries including UK, Korea, Iran and Italy, and said the public needs to support the government in its effort to contain the spreading of the virus.

“They will not be taken to quarantine centres but will kept at their own homes with the help of the Public Health Inspectors,” the ministry assured.

If they still fail to heed to the request, legal action will be taken under the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance by the Police against them, the ministry warned. (BS)