NOCPCO TASK FORCE EVALUATES NEW DEVELOPMENTS & ARRIVAL OF MORE & MORE EXPATRIATES

One more reviewing discussion with all Task Force members and other stakeholders fighting against transmission of COVID-19 took place this afternoon (19) at the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), co-chaired by General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army and Head, NOCPCO and Medical Specialist and Director General of Health Services, Dr Asela Gunawardena.

During this discussion, General Shavendra Silva told the gathering that all Police divisions excluding Kattankudy Police Division have now been exempted from isolation and that imposition of such isolations would only be enacted at the request of HE the President newly-nominated District Coordinators. After such requests are referred, they would be evaluated and reviewed before further action is taken.

In addition, NOCPCO Head elaborated reasons behind a little increase of new cases in Gampaha, Kalutara, Matara, Colombo, Kandy and Rathnapura districts in recent days. Afterwards, he stated that no cluster-type positive cases are observed any longer in the country.

Similarly, he pointed out that arrival of the flights with Sri Lankan expatriates has increased and nearly 200-300 expatriates for Government Quarantine Centres and 75-100 per flight on paid basis quarantine arriving, Most of them on arrival want to be in quarantine at state expense. Members of the Task Force who were attending the discussion touched on the present status as regards the pandemic. He also mentioned about recent discussions he has had with Hoteliers. Yesterday alone, 200 expatriates who were arrived from Bahrain in a unexpected flight sent to government quarantining centres.