Chinese boy suffering from Corona-virus Initial fears unfounded

• Initial suspicion about Chinese boy arriving  with Coronavirus cleared: Health Minister  

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

An Initial suspicion that a Chinese boy who had arrived in Sri Lanka was suffering from Corona-virus has been cleared, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi informed Parliament yesterday.  

Responding to a question asked by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa who cautioned the government on the spreading of the virus, the minister said the corona-virus was ruled out after the boy was subjected to medical checkups.  

She confirmed that there had been no cases of corona-virus reported in Sri Lanka.  

The minister said however, steps had been taken to screen passengers who arrived at the Katunanayake Airport. “We have also decided to make an announcements inside aircraft that arrive in Sri Lanka requesting passengers to visit the help desk set up at the airport if they are running a temperature,” she said. “ A team of doctors have been deployed at the airport to screen the passengers while we are in contact with World Health Organisation (WHO) on this health hazard.” 

The Opposition Leader said Sri Lanka should be vigilant and prevent the virus from entering into the country when its known to be spreading to other countries from China. “China has already shut down Wuhan and Huanggang as the result of the virus while it has spread towards Hong Kong and Singapore,” Mr Premadasa said. 

“Sri Lanka should be particularly careful these days as many Chinese tourists are arriving in Sri Lanka because of the Chinese New year. I must state that my statement is not aimed at crippling the tourism industry.”  

We have also decided to make announcements in aircraft that  arrive in Sri Lanka requesting passengers to visit the help desk set up at the airport if they are running a temperature