Must undergo 14-day quarantine even if PCR is negative: Dr. Samaraweera

Those who were subjected to PCR tests must undergo a two-week quarantine process even if they have tested negative for Covid-19, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said today.

Addressing media, he said PCR tests are conducted on first and close contacts of covid-19 patients and said there was a high chance of those subjected to a PCR test being infected with the virus.

“We conduct PCR tests on first and close contacts of covid-19 patients and for randomly selected people. Subjecting to a PCR test alone means that there is a possibility of he or she being infected the virus. So, it is mandatory that those who are subjected to PCR tests, to undergo a two-week quarantine process, even if the PCR test results are negative. Another PCR test should be conducted after the 14-day quarantine period,” he said.

Dr. Samaraweera said if people who were subjected to PCR tests were moving around until they receive the PCR reports, it would pose a huge danger not only to the community but their immediate family as well.

“Subjecting to a PCR test alone does not mean that someone is healthy. Even if someone is asymptomatic, they should limit movement. Otherwise, it would be difficult to control the spread of the disease,” he said.(Ajith Siriwardana)