Courtesy The Daily Mirror

-In order to prevent Covid-19 spreading to outside Western Province during the festive seas

-Tests would be carried out on random individuals 

-Testing would be carried out in three locations in the Province

Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) would be conducted on the passengers crossing the borders of the Western Province with effect from today (18) 8.00 a.m. until further notice to prevent Covid-19 spread to outside the Western Province during the forthcoming festive season, informed sources confirmed last night.

According to a letter to Provincial Director of Health Services (Western Province) it stated that the testing would be carried out to identify risk of passengers in three locations in the Province and also to prevent the virus from spreading to other districts.

The sources said the tests would be carried out on random individuals.

The process will be facilitated by the police. In addition, respective Regional Directors of Health Services must deploy their teams to the following locations to carry out Antigen tests.

1.         Nittambuwa along the Kandy-Colombo Road

2.         Salawa, Kosgama along Avissawella-Colombo Road

3.         Katunayake along Colombo-Chilaw Road

The Ministry said the decision had been taken under a directive of Director General of Health Services.

Earlier, Army Commander Shavendra Silva also said that RAT would be conducted targeting people traveling especially to upcountry areas during the upcoming festive season.(Sheain Fernandopulle)