About 50 detected with Covid-19 at WP exit points since Dec 24

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon

Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said yesterday that rapid antigen tests had helped detect 49 Covid-19 infected persons at exit points from the Western Province.

The DIG said that around 8,000 rapid antigen tests had been conducted at 11 exit points in the Western Province since 24 Dec.

He said that the rapid antigen tests had been carried out at the entry and exit points after the number of Covid-19 infected persons was found to be on the rise in the Western Province.

The tests were done as a measure to contain the virus and to curb its spread in the rest of the country.

Rapid antigen tests were initially conducted at only four exit points. However, subsequently the tests were conducted at all exit points in the Western Province.

DIG Rohana said that in some areas mobile units would be deployed to conduct random antigen tests.

In addition, 31 persons had been arrested during the last 24 hours for not wearing face masks and not complying with health regulations at public places, DIG Rohana said.

He said that 1,860 persons had been taken into custody since Oct 30 for not wearing face masks and not maintaining social distance guidelines.