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The Board of Investment (BOI) yesterday said that 28,670 PCR tests have been done on factory employees under its purview from 8 to 31 October.
Accordingly, during this period, a total of 18,280 PCR tests have been done on employees of 197 enterprises within the 14 Export Processing Zones (EPZs), while a total of 10,390 PCR tests have been done on employees of 169 factories outside EPZs.
Of the 18,280 PCR tests done within EPZs, 433 were COVID-19 positive, with 376 test results pending. Of the 433 cases, 420 were from Katunayake, 12 from Biyagama, and one from the Koggala EPZ. A total of 8,908 PCR tests have been done in 69 enterprises in Katunayake, where 420 were positive and 118 pending results, 4,412 tests in 48 enterprises in Biyagama resulted in 12 positive cases, 170 tests in three enterprises in Koggala resulted in one positive case.
Of the 10,390 PCR tests done on employees of 169 factories, 1,111 employees were COVID-19 positive, while 249 were pending results. Of the 1,111 cases, 1052 were from Gampaha, 53 from Colombo, two from Kalutara, each from the Hambantota and Kurunegala districts.
In Seethawaka, 604 PCR tests have been done in four enterprises; 65 tests were done in 12 enterprises in Kandy; 1,401 tests were done in five enterprises in Mirigama; 1,322 tests were done in 15 enterprises in Wathupitiwala; 333 tests were done in 22 enterprises in Horana; 519 tests were done in 10 enterprises in Polgahawela; 120 tests were done in five enterprises in Mawathagama; 128 tests were done in two enterprises in Wagawatte Industrial Park; 10 tests were done in one enterprise in Wagawatte Industrial Zone; and 30 tests were done in four enterprises in Mirijjawila. No cases have been reported thus far from these 11 zones.
“All the factories in general are strictly adhering to health and safety guidelines. The BOI is strongly upholding the relevant regulations,” BOI Director General Sanjaya Mohottala said.
There are 1,615 factories under the BOI purview that are situated outside the EPZs, and 580,000 are employed in these factories, while 133,000 are contributing to the production process within EPZs. In addition, around one million are indirectly employed via these factories. More than 70% of the export income is provided by this workforce.
“The BOI, on behalf of the Government, is grateful to all the Health Ministry staff, Public Health Inspectors (PHIs), security forces, divisional secretaries, investors and staff, the Navy Unit attached to the Katunayake Zone, and also the staff of BOI for going beyond their work description in providing a holistic effort in controlling the spread of the second wave of COVID-19. If not for their excellent service and devotion, the situation could have been very much worse,” he said.
Given the pandemic, to stay afloat, Mohottala said the production process must be carried out continuously to ensure a stable economy.
He believes all relevant parties would continue to adhere to health and safety guidelines and give their fullest cooperation as responsible citizens. (CdeS)
