Thirty-four (34) persons who had associated with six employees of the Colombo Port, who had come into contact with the 17 Indian crew members who were detected with COVID-19 recently, have been placed in quarantine.

Head of the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said the Indian crew members were detected with the virus after being tested at the Trincomalee Port.

However, the Sri Lankan Port workers had come into contact with the Indian crew members after they had boarded the oil tanker for various tasks while it was docked at the Colombo Port to refuel previously.

All Sri Lanka Port employees who had come into contact with the Indian crew members, including 5 who had come into contact with their families thereafter have been placed in quarantine, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva assured that all measures have been taken to prevent a community outbreak through this incident.

The public have been urged to strictly adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health, he added.