Passengers from South Korea to be checked for Coronavirus at BIA

All passengers arriving from South Korea will be subjected to a medical check-up for infections of the COVID-19 or coronavirus, at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, the Director-General of Health Services announced.

The decision has been taken due to the rapid rise in new cases in South Korea. 

Meanwhile, foreign media said that South Korea has raised its disease alert to the highest level after a surge in coronavirus infections and two more deaths, while Chinese state media warned the outbreak had yet to reach a turning point despite some signs of easing.

South Korea's president said on Sunday he was putting the country on "red alert" due to the rapid rise in new cases, which are largely being traced back to church services. Health officials reported 169 new infections, bringing the total to 602, having doubled from Friday to Saturday.

The escalation in the alert level allows the government to send extra resources to Daegu city and Cheongdo county, which were designated "special care zones" on Friday.