Public urged to use face masks, precautionary steps

While claiming that there was no need to panic over the Coronavirus, the Health Ministry has advised the general public to wear face masks as a safety measure.

Meanwhile, CMC Chief Medical Officer Dr Ruwan Wijayamuni also requested all who come to Colombo to wear face masks as a precautionary measure.  

He advised to adhere to this method when entering public places, hotels and restaurants in the Colombo city and hotel employees too should wear a mask.  

The Chief Epidemiologist of the Colombo Epidemiology Unit, Dr Sudath Samaraweera has also issued a statement outlining the measures to be taken to prevent contracting the disease.   
According to the statement, the new Coronavirus was capable of spreading from one person to another. Public health measures should take to prevent the disease from spreading in Sri Lanka as it has spread to other countries.  

Accordingly, avoid crowded places. Frequently clean hands with soap and water or alcohol based hand rubs. When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissues. Discard tissues safely and wash hands immediately after. Avoid close contact with anyone who is having fever and cough. If you have fever and cough, and had travelled to a city from where novel coronavirus cases are reported, seek prompt medical advice and share your travel history with the health care provider, he said in his statement.