President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructed members of the special task force set up to monitor and discuss preventive measures against the Covid-19 virus in Sri Lanka to formulate a scientific mechanism to prevent the disease entering the country.
Sri Lanka is one of the countries in the region which has so far been successful in the battle against this global health threat due to diligent steps taken by the Government and medical experts in the country, the President noted at a meeting convened at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss future measures to continue this positive atmosphere.
Covid-19 rapidly is spreading across the globe and the situation is severe in countries such as Iran, South Korea and Italy. The task force members recommended to quarantine those who arrive in Sri Lanka from these countries. This will help to prevent the spread of the disease, they pointed out.
At present patients who are suspected to carry the disease are successfully quarantined in many hospitals throughout the island. Not a single Sri Lankan infected with Covid-19 has been found within the country so far, though one Sri Lankan living in Italy had tested positive. President Rajapaksa said that it was the duty of the people arriving from foreign countries to act in a socially responsible manner if they had any symptoms of this disease by undergoing tests by health authorities.
The President also emphasised the need for continuous promotion through the media of the health practices that should be observed to prevent the spread of the disease.
If necessary, the President advised the officials to provide necessary facilities, resource personnel and equipment for the quarantine process in the future.
Western Province Governor Dr. Seetha Arambepola, Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundara, Secretary to the Health Ministry Bhadrani Jayawardena, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe and members of the task force were present at this meeting.
(Daily News)