Presidential Task Force Members Meet & Assess Latest Developments & Strategies

One more session of the Presidential Task Force at National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), headed by Head of the NOCPCO, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army and Medical Specialist, Dr Anil Jasinghe, Director General of Health Services got underway on Thursday (23) at the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) at Rajagiriya.

Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army warmly welcomed the members of the Presidential Task Force for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak and all the guests who attended the meeting at first and stated that the purpose of the meeting were to re-visit the action plan, based on the strategy to prevent further spread of the epidemic. He briefed on the status quo the of the epidemic and developments occurring in the prevention process. He pointed out the most central challenge that lies with all of us as at now was the tracing of infected clusters and individuals in society.

Dr Udaya Indrarathna conducted a presentation on the prevailing strategy and required strategic changes that should be done according to changing scenario in a dynamic manner. Similarly, Dr. Anurudda Padeniya in his presentation revisited the exit strategy, bringing some more points into focus. The drafted exit strategy and the way forward, need for a platform to receive information on zonal basis while assessing whether the activated relaxing process is effective and efficient. Significance of the contribution and consensus of other sectors to the proposed exit strategy has to be discussed with other sectors too since it has been formulated by the health sector, he told the meeting.

Consequent upon presentations, the Head of the Task Force opened the forum for discussion, during which some of the following points were discussed.

a. People’s behaviour related to public transport should be regularized. It was also suggested to stop public transport in contaminated zones and use of individual private transport is to be encouraged.

b. The importance of streamlining of views and information presented to the general public by political leaders and professionals.

c. Drafting of a national guidance on border crossing (distract to district).

d. There is need to gazette out the rules and regulations pertaining to prevention of violations of relaxed health guidelines and instructions. The security forces and Police should be empowered to act upon violation of these rules and regulations.

e. A suggestion was made to launch a website specially dedicated to COVID-19 issue. However, it was brought to notice that the website of the Ministry of Health has already extended a link for this purpose and views of the readers, which is receiving encouraging inputs.

f. It was suggested to activate a mechanism to receive feedback on the progress of relaxation process and people's responsibility (role to play) which has to be conveyed

g. A discussion focused on the people who are stuck in Colombo and suburbs and willing to go back to respective home towns out of Colombo. It was agreed that they could be sent back on following basis:

1. No symptoms.

2. Isolated for at least last two weeks.

3. Should be self-quarantined once reaching home.

h. Government departments public and private organizations should be prioritized in terms of commencement of work. Organizational heads should be informed to initiate organized transport to get down those most required state employees and private sector individuals.

i. It was agreed to continue with the ongoing relaxation process in areas, not threatened with the epidemic. (easing off curfew in particular on district basis).

Towards the end, Head of NOCPCO Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army thanked the members for presenting their valuable ideas and suggestions. Also, he requested group members to convene and make timely modifications to suit action plans that have been already spelt out among working groups.

Source: www.army.lk