The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has introduced a set of guidelines for the disposal of personal protective equipment, like masks and gloves used by people as well as other waste from homes in the areas isolated to prevent spread of COVID-19.
It has been found that the waste such as masks and gloves discarded by the COVID-19 infected who were quarantined in the isolated areas as well as the people who are self-quarantined in their own homes is severely harmful to the environment.
Therefore, the Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the Central Environmental Authority to prepare a program for the proper disposal of such waste.
Accordingly, the Central Environmental Authority has introduced a new set of guidelines from yesterday (10).
These guidelines include instructions to follow for disposal of masks, gloves and other items used by the people living insolated areas and self-quarantined at their homes as well as those used by general public for preventing COVID-19 in a manner that does not harm the environment or public health.
The guidelines instruct the local authorities to deploy other vehicles and personnel to dispose of clinical waste, especially in isolated areas. Also, masks and gloves used by COVID-19 infected people should be kept separately in a yellow bag.
Waste packed in yellow bags should never be used for recycling and steps should be taken to dispose of them properly.
Also, face masks and gloves commonly used by the public to protect from COVID-19 should be thoroughly washed and dried before disposal and should be disposed of thereafter, Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority Mr. S. Samarasinghe said.
Expressing these views at a media briefing held yesterday (10) the Official said this set of guidelines has been issued to all local government bodies.
Due to the carelessness in disposing of this clinical contaminants, it is highly possible for the Covid-19 virus to re-enter the environment from the irresponsibly disposed masks and gloves, the Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority said.
(colombopage.com)