Coronavirus No risk of contracting via imported food

• One gets infected with the virus only when it enters the respiratory system

By Sheain Fernandopulle  

Clarifying on a fear prevailing in society that the Coronavirus could be transmitted via food imported from foreign countries, Chief Epidemiologist of the Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said there was no risk of the virus spreading via imported food items.   

“One gets infected with the virus only when it enters the respiratory system,” Dr Samaraweera said speaking to media.  

“The virus spreads when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth. The virus remains on a surface or object only for three days. Hence, there is less possibility of the virus entering the respiratory system when consuming food. However there were few instances where the virus was found to have been transmitted via food,” he said.   

Therefore, he asked people not to have unnecessary fear when consuming food imported from foreign countries. 
*** The virus spreads when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth