Let us decide on repatriation: NOCPCO tells Foreign Ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was requested to consult the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) and seek approval prior to arrangements of future repatriation schedules.   

“Expatriates who wish to return can directly purchase their own tickets. They should not approach any third party in this regard, except for their respective embassies. Let the NOCPCO decide,” the meeting, that was held on Wednesday, was told.  

The national task force meeting headed by Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva and Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena was attended by all members and experts in the field.   
Experts at the meeting also discussed recent developments, including the detection of clusters and measures to combat the rising the amount of COVID-19 cases.   

Several other related issues including the control of Prison cluster were also taken up by the DGHS for review during the meeting.  

The management of isolated areas, infiltration of the virus into new areas, essential services in these areas as well as public behaviour, were discussed at the meeting. Recent discoveries about the virus, the conduct of the GCE O/L examination as well as the latest Prison cluster were also among topics addressed at the meeting. 

 
Common sanitary facilities which are not cleaned with disinfectants constantly may be a possible cause of virus transmission, the experts discussed. Random PCR testing across economic centres, practicing social distancing and other hygienic practices were also discussed at the meeting.    

• Several other related issues including the control of Prison cluster were also taken up by the DGHS for review during the meeting