Govt. Epidemiology Unit allays fears: ‘People need not wear face masks’

By Sandun A Jayasekera   

 Allaying fears of a possible COVID 19 spate in Sri Lanka, the Government Epidemiology Unit (GEU) yesterday said that in the current Sri Lankan context,, there was no scientific justification for people including children to wear face masks.  

The number of persons under medical observation for a possible corona virus infection stood at 3 yesterday. The three - a foreigner and two Sri Lankans - were being observed at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Angoda.   

Meanwhile, the worldwide number of COVID -19 related deaths rose to 2,808 by noon yesterday while 330,026 were being cured and 82,418
receiving treatment.   

Up to now, Sri Lanka has been able to contain the coronavirus but we must be extremely watchful on Sri Lankans coming home from South Korea because there is a coronavirus outbreak in that country

Up to now, Sri Lanka has been able to contain the coronavirus but we must be extremely watchful on Sri Lankans coming home from South Korea because there is a coronavirus outbreak in that country, Director General, Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.   “We can’t confidently say that we have fully prevented a risk of a corona outbreak. We continue risk assessments on each and every country, specially screening those arriving in Sri Lanka from infected countries – in particular from countries like China and Korea,”
Dr. Jasinghe said.   

He added that all preventive measures including screening, medical facilities and isolation treatment were in place at the BIA and the Port of Colombo.