Sophisticated sets of equipment have been installed at the Katunayake International Airport to check the body temperature of air passengers arriving at the Airport.
A separate arrival lounge with the equipment has been opened for Chinese nationals arriving at the Airport to prevent the spread of the coronavirus here, Health, Indigenous Medicine, Women and Children’s Affairs and Social Security Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.
The Minister, who was speaking to the media after an inspection tour of the Katunayake International Airport to check on measures adopted to combat the virus yesterday, thanked the airport authorities for the commendable steps taken at the Airport.
Minister Wanniarachchi said that apart from the sophisticated machines, doctors and health staff have been deployed to screen and detect passengers with high body temperature or any other symptoms and treat them at the airport itself.
Those who are found to have contracted the disease are dispatched to relevant hospitals including the Infectious Diseases Hospital in ambulances.
She said that earlier visas were issued on arrival to Chinese nationals. This situation was studied by the special committee appointed by the President.
The Minister said she also spoke to the President and received his instructions. Hereafter the visa on arrival system for Chinese nationals will be suspended.
Hereafter Chinese nationals should apply for Sri Lanka visas from China itself. Sri Lanka visas will be granted to them after considering the Chinese province they come from and the purpose of their visits.
Health Ministry Secretary Bhadrani Jayawardena, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Airport Chairman and Aviation Services General (Retds) G.A. Chandrasiri, Additional Secretary (Public Health ) Dr. Lakshmi Somatunga and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Chairman Dr. Nial Jayatillake accompanied the Minister.
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