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PHIs at BIA doubled to screen for Omicron 

15 Dec 2021

By Buddhika Samaraweera  The Health Ministry has doubled the number of public health inspectors (PHI) deployed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) premises in Katunayake, in a bid to intensify the screening process in view of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus two (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant (B.1.1.529), The Morning learnt. Taking into account the possibility of the Omicron variant entering the country, the Sri Lankan authorities, late last month, banned the arrival of foreign travellers who had been to six countries in the African Continent, including South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, and Eswatini (Swaziland) within the past 14 days, but the said ban was lifted on 10 December.  Accordingly, when contacted by The Morning to inquire whether the methods for detecting the Omicron variant had been enhanced at the airport with the lifting of the said ban, Health Ministry Communications Director, Public Health Services Deputy Director General, and Disaster Preparedness and Response Division Head Dr. Hemantha Herath said that since the increase of the human resource capacity at the airport premises is of much importance in carrying out the screening process, the number of PHIs stationed at the BIA has been doubled. “There is a specific screening process at the BIA. Since it is important to increase the human resource capacity there, the number of PHIs at the airport premises has already been doubled. It is hoped to intensify the screening process by doing so,” he added. Meanwhile, commenting to the media on the lifting of the said restrictions, Colombo South Teaching Hospital Kalubowila Deputy Director Dr. Rukshan Bellana has stated that although there is no issue in lifting the restriction, the airport screening procedures should be followed in a more organised manner.


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