First batch of travellers from South Korea quarantined

• 180 passengers from South Korea sent to quarantine centres
• Air Force airlifts 24 Sri Lankans from BIA to Batticaloa centre
• Remainder bussed by Army, all expenses to be borne by Govt.    
• UAE identifies two Lankans with COVID-19

The first batch of 180 arrivals, mostly Sri Lankans, from South Korea were yesterday taken to two quarantine centres by the Army and Health authorities to be quarantined for two weeks, officials said.  

The passengers returning from South Korea were the first group to face the mandatory quarantine requirements issued by Health authorities last week. 

The move came in the back drop of the United Arab Emirates announcing that two Sri Lankan’s in that country were found to be infected with the virus. The Italian Government also announced a country wide lockdown after a surge of COVID-19 related deaths.  

The Defence and Health Ministries yesterday cleared three quarantine facilities to accept returnees from South Korea, Iran and Italy who may be infected with the COVID-19 virus.    

The Sri Lanka Air Force airlifted 24 persons to the Batticaloa facility while the Army transported the rest in a special convoy to the location in Polonnaruwa. None of the 180 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 at present.  

According to the Army, two centres have been established in Punani and Kandakadu with the capacity to accommodate 2000 - 2500 persons who will be interned for a fortnight. A third centre in Diyathalawa can hold another 300 if the need arises. 

Army Commander Lt. Gen Shavendra De Silva, issuing a separate statement denied allegations that a fee will be charged from those who have been quarantined. The Health Ministry also issued a statement emphasising that there will be no fee charged from those who are kept in the facilities. De Silva explained that while there had been some protest against housing the travellers in their respective districts, the protesters had stopped once the situation was explained to them. 

“The centres were provisionally acquired to full fill national need by virtue of the powers vested in the Director General of the Health Ministry as the  authority under the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance No. 3 of 1897 and regulations made there under.” the Army said releasing a statement.