TWO AREAS IN DIKWELLA - MATARA ISOLATED

COLOMBO (News 1st): Yonakapura-East and Yonakapura-West Grama Seva Divisions in Dikwella, Matara have been isolated with immediate effect, the National Operation Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said on Friday (Dec. 25). The decision to isolate these two areas was made after a small number of COVID-19 cases were reported from the areas, according to Army Commander - Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, the Head of NOCPCO. "With the behaviour we see as of now from the people of these areas and especially when the health authorities went to do the PCR tests, we saw they were reluctant to undergo PCR testing and were attempting to avoid doing PCR tests like in Atalugama in the Kalutara district," Army Commander - Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva elaborated. The Army Commander said in Atalugama in Kalutara, initially only four COVID-19 cases were detected and it went up to 800 cases. "This is a precautionary measure the government has taken to prevent the spread of the virus, not only within the two respective areas, but it could even spread towards Matara or Tangalle. We request the intelligent people who are living in Yonakapura-East and Yonakapura-West, to cooperate with health authorities to get the PCR tests done, and clear yourselves," the Army Commander further noted.