Quarantine capacity

If the country opens up what would be the procedure for quarantining people, was the question on the minds of many.

When asked about the current quarantining capacity, Army Spokesperson Brigadier Chandana Wickramasinghe said that as of Thursday, 30,133 people had completed the quarantine process at the 40 tri-service managed centres.

Currently, there are 3,840 people still in quarantine and by August 12 (Wednesday).

An army source said that as at August 14, there are around 12 hotels converted into quarantine centres. They are being used for repatriates and seafarers (who disembark for two or three days). The usual RT-PCR tests are done on all.

The source declined to give the number of quarantine centres but said that there should be no concerns over capacity, as facilities can be arranged dependent on need.

Navy Spokesperson Captain Indika De Silva said they manage five quarantine centres at Sampoor, Oluvil, Nachchikuda, Boossa and Kalpitiya with the latter two being for sea marshals only.

“We only handle the quarantining of those who come in to the ports/harbours such as fishermen and sea marshals,” he said, adding that currently there are 95 in quarantine but the centres run by the navy have the capacity to accommodate 264. If required, they can use the Sampoor and Nachchikuda centres too.

The Air Force’s Acting Director (Media), Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe, said that the Air Force maintains four quarantine centres in Iranamadu, Mullaitivu, Wanni and Palaly.

There are 498 returnees in quarantine at Iranamadu (76), Mullaitivu (257) and Wanni (165). The Palay centre is vacant now but can be used if needed.

Staff members who manage the centres also undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine period and are tested before they assume other duties, he added.