Tri Service, Police & CSD Personnel Ready to Provide Disinfection Support- Head NOCPCO

The routine Media interaction at the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) at Rajagiriya took place this afternoon (29), headed by Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Head of the (NOCPCO), Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, Attorney-at Law Ajith Rohana, Deputy Inspector General of Police and Dr Padma S. Gunaratne, President-designate for Sri Lanka Medical Association.

Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said that " 77 more individuals after quarantining at Army-manged Galkanda and Punani Quarantine Centres (QCs) left for home this morning (29) after receiving medical instructions and quarantine certificates.

"Last night it was confirmed that a 61-year old person in Thelambugahawatte, Akurana was confirmed positive for COVID-19 and found that this person had frequented different locations in Kandy and Akurana areas. Therefore, the government was compelled to isolate and seal Akurana area as a precaution. In addition, a 59- year old individual in Kandamankulum, Puttalam who had toured Indonesia and Thailand was found infected with this virus. After improvising Puttalam Zahira College with 110 beds as a QC, all individuals, suspected to have been in contact with this person and his whereabouts are to be kept in quarantine from today onward for a period of 14 days," Head of the NOCPCO told the Media.

"Once curfew is lifted tomorrow (30) in specific areas, people are strictly urged to adhere to health guidelines and instructions, given by medical authorities and attend to their needs while maintaining social distancing. All these measures are implemented for the public good and people are urged not to abuse such freedom, like what was experienced in certain areas after lifting of curfew. Similarly, if any state or private sector agency needs the support of tri-service, Police and Civil Security Department personnel for disinfecting their locations, they are requested to contact us, "Lieutenant General Silva revealed.

DIG Ajith Rohana to the Media that "all those who returned from any foreign lands after 10 March 2020 are compulsory to undergo the 14-day quarantine process. Their failure only aggravated the spread of it, and those who evade doing so could be prosecuted under the country's Criminal Law and the Act for Prevention of Infectious Diseases. For your own self-quarantine, you can call 1933 now and get all required assistance. All those who spread fake or untrue news through social media networks would be apprehended and prosecuted and all under quarantining process are urged to stick to medical guidelines, "he added.

Dr Padma S. Gunaratne remarked that "people in any age group are vulnerable to infection and it is our duty to care for our adults, a share of 15% of our population. Those receiving medical treatment for non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and those with different transplants run the risk of developing those complex infections. Those above 60 years are therefore requested to be confined home and avoid contact with people of all ages while following strict health guidelines."

Source: www.army.lk