COVID-19 prevention measures recommended for people in disaster-prone areas

• People should not wait till rescue workers reach them for evacuation

By Kelum Bandara 

With torrential rain expected in the country, the health authorities said rescue work could lead to the transmission of COVID-19 from one another and therefore urged people living in disaster-prone areas to relocate to safe spots without waiting till an emergency occurs. 

 The meteorological authorities forecast rainfall, exceeding 150 mm, in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces and in districts such as Galle, Matara and Nuwara-Eliya. 

Also, people living in the basins of the rivers- Kalu Ganga, Kelani Ganga and Aththanugal Oya- to be vigilant for floods because of the rising water levels. 

Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath told Daily Mirror people in disaster-prone areas should leave no room for the transmission of COVID-19 during evacuation process or rescue work in case of an emergency. 

“In case of an emergency situation, people may get into contact with rescue workers. It may lead to the transmission of the coronavirus from one another. Therefore, people should not wait till rescue workers reach them for evacuation. Instead, they should move out to safe locations,” he said.