Permission to disembark for those who arrive in Sri Lanka on passenger ships has been halted with immediate effect due to the risks posed by the rapid spread of COVID-19, says the Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe.
This decision was taken as per the powers vested on the Director of Quarantine Unit at the Ministry of Health, he said further.
Dr. Jasinghe made these remarks addressing a special media briefing held at the Ministry of Health this morning (03).
The media briefing was focused on the measures that should be taken to curb the spread of the deadly virus in the country from the passengers arriving from Italy, South Korea and Iran.
Dr. Jasinghe added that arrival of cruise ships has not been prohibited, however, disembarking the passengers was banned taking into consideration the prevailing risks.
Most cruise ships around the world carry people aged above 50 years, who are the most vulnerable to be infected with the novel coronavirus, Dr. Jasinghe said, adding that permitting them to disembark when the ships anchor at local ports will put the island at risk.
He further stated that the Health Ministry reached a decision to quarantine all passengers, both locals and foreigners, arriving in the country from Italy, South Korea and Iran for 14 days.
A total of 1,145 passengers – 419 from South Korea and 726 from Italy – have arrived in the country during five-day period from February 25th to 29th, Dr. Jasinghe commented.
