www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2020 For verified information on the Quarantine Unit COVID-19 TOTAL CASES ACTIVE CASES TOTAL CASES coronavirus (Covid-19) contact any 0112 112 705 of the following authorities Epidemiology Unit CASES IN 0112 695 112 THE WORLD 46,972,765 Health Suwasariya Govt. coronavirus hotline PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 11,224 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS 0113071073 Bureau Service USA 9,478,422 236,505 If showing symptoms COVID-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0117 966 366 1,207,112 INDIA 8,242,161 122,752 BRAZIL 5,545,705 160,104 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERD RUSSIA 1,655,038 28,473 21 5,249 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 5,953 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] 33,855,254 FRANCE 1,413,915 37,019 THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 08.25 P.M. ON 2 NOVEMBER 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU NEW COVID-19 DETECTIONS RE-EMERGENCE OF COVID-19 REOPENING SCHOOLS TOTAL CASES Third term postponed *Stats7,857 updated as at 8.15 p.m. on 2 November Probe continues COVID-19 by two weeks In light of the surge in cases due to the second wave of the Covid-19 virus, the third term for WHO Chief in government schools, which was to begin on 9 November, has been postponed by another self-quarantine to identify strain two weeks, Ministry of Education Secretary World Health Organisation (WHO) Prof. Kapila Perera stated yesterday (2). Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom z Current strain a mutation z Yet to pinpoint virus’ Ghebreyesus, said yesterday (2) that SRI LANKAN MIGRANT WORKERS he would undergo self-quarantine as of Covid-19 virus country of origin he was identified as a contact of a BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA mutating and the current strain was Covid-19 patient. also a mutation of the Covid-19 virus. Repatriation Health authorities are proceeding with investigations to When asked from which country the sees drastic drop 225 from Galle Fisheries identify the exact strain of the Covid-19 virus that hit the virus had come to Sri Lanka, he said country last month, after identifying that the current virus that answer could only be given by a The repatriation process, while still Harbour test negative spreading in the country was a different strain from the one microbiologist or virologist. Meanwhile, ongoing, has been significantly slowed down The results of 225 PCR tests witnessed earlier this year. the Health Ministry has warned that due to the second wave of the coronavirus conducted by the Galle Medical Officer the latest variant of the coronavirus is Ministry of Health Chief domestically. of Health (MOH) at the Galle Fisheries When contacted by The Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath more dangerous than the earlier one. Epidemiologist Dr. Contd. on page 2 Harbour and on its associated fishing Morning, Ministry of Health Samaraweera said the virus was Contd. on page 2 Sudath Samaraweera community showed no Covid-19 infections among the group.. Curfew or Covid permit? PARLIAMENT SESSIONS 5 more test positive from Balapitiya Limited to Five more Covid-19-infected people were reported from the Balapitiya Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Division, according to the Health two hours Department of the Ministry of Health. z Additional health z Random PCR tests precautions taken on Parliament staff Recoveries cross BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA including random PCR testing. Secretary General of Parliament 5,000 mark in SL Parliament sessions will be Dhammika Dasanayake said that The total number of coronavirus conducted today (3), as scheduled, PCR testing would be conducted recoveries in the country crossed the for a duration of two hours with on Parliament staff members. 5,000 mark yesterday (2) as another additional Covid-19 measures, Contd. on page 2 344 patients were discharged from hospitals following recovery. QUARANTINE Guidelines issued for CURFEW AND ISOLATED AREAS Western Province non-curfew areas Nuwara Eliya District The Government Information A large number of people who arrived at the Colombo District Secretariat yesterday (2) to obtain curfew permits due to the y Hatton town Department issued a set of guidelines to implementation of the curfew in the Western Province were pictured not following any quarantine rules Ratnapura District be followed in the areas where quarantine PHOTO ESHAN DASANYAKA y Eheliyagoda curfew has not been imposed. COVID-19 FISH STUCK AT FISHERIES HARBOURS y Palabaddala 50 healthcare IHC Colombo Mannar District Infected police officers Over 80 tonnes y Periyakadai increase to 135 workers infected staffer tests y Pattitottam Eight more police officers at the A total of 50 healthcare workers Covid positive for processing Kurunegala District Borella Police Station were identified have been infected with the Covid- The Indian High y Kurunegala as contracting the coronavirus, stated 19 virus so far within the country, Commission, Colombo and distribution y Kuliyapitiya the Police yesterday (2). contrary to the situation during yesterday (2) stated that Over 80 tonnes of fish stocks that were stuck y Pannala the first wave of the coronavirus, a member of the auxiliary at various fisheries harbours are being released y Giriulla Rs. 5,000 allowance to according to the Government staff at the Commission for processing and distribution. y Narammala Medical Officers’ Association tested positive for Contd. on page 2 y Dummalasuriya (GMOA). Covid-19. affected families in WP PCR TESTING Kegalle district The Government announced that Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 y Hemmathagama measures will be taken to provide relief y Mawanella to low-income families in the Western Changes to deaths recorded Monitoring y Bulathkohupitiya Province (WP) where the quarantine y Galigamuwa curfew is in effect to prevent the spread Sri Lanka reported its Health Chief Epidemiologist Dr. mechanism of Covid-19. 22nd death from the novel Sudath Samaraweera yesterday coronavirus, Covid-19, stated that the death cannot be under discussion SLIC employee tests positive yesterday (2), the Epidemiology classified as a Covid-19-related The Ministry of Health is yet to formulate a An employee of the Sri Lanka Unit of the Ministry of death since it was a death by mechanism that would monitor PCR testing carried * Updated as at Insurance Company (SLIC) attached Health confirmed. However, suicide. out in both state and private laboratories, it is learnt. 10.00 p.m. on 2nd November to the Union Place branch office tested subsequently, Ministry of Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 Source: Sri Lanka Police positive for Covid-19 yesterday (2), the SLIC said in a statement. New areas declared isolated BUS FARES The Hemmathagama, police area of the Kurunegala SLT Group net profit up Immigration and Emigration Mawanella, and District have been declared as Increase in Covid-19- Dept. Head Office closed Bulathkohupitiya police areas isolated areas with immediate 35% from Jan to Sept and the Galigamuwa pradeshiya effect, Army Commander Lt. See full story on page 3 The Department of Immigration and sabha (PS) area of the Kegalle Gen. Shavendra Silva said affected areas Emigration announced its Battaramulla District, along with the Giriulla yesterday (2). Government buses will increase Covid-19 transmission, The Head Office was temporarily closed ticket fares in areas declared as Morning learnt. for the public from yesterday (2) until isolated or with a high risk for Contd. on page 2 further notice. VEGETABLE SUPPLIES Air quality still at Mechanism to deliver unhealthy levels goods to curfew areas 3,000-4,000 metric tonnes in Dambulla z Public advised to exercise Arrangements have been made z Ministry of Agriculture BY SARAH HANNAN State Ministry for Paddy Ministry of Agriculture and caution outdoors to distribute essential items through and Cereals, Organic Food, Ministry of Trade had promptly mobile vendors, as was done earlier and Ministry of Trade The Dambulla Economic Vegetables, Fruits, Chillies, taken measures to ensure that the The Department of Meteorology has during the curfew period, stated Police take prompt action Centre (DEC) yesterday (2) Onions, and Potatoes, Seed supply chain was not disrupted stated that the ambient air quality over Media Spokesman Deputy Inspector received a vegetable stock of Production and High-tech and the vegetable stocks were Sri Lanka had deteriorated over the past z Mechanism in place to General of Police (DIG) Ajith Rohana. 3,000-4,000 metric tonnes, Agriculture Secretary L.L.A. distributed to other parts of the few days. ensure no hindrance the DEC Trade Association Wijesiri, when contacted by country without delay. Contd. on page 2 SEE FULL STORIES ON PAGE 2 to supply chain revealed. The Morning, stated that the Contd. on page 2 2 the morning NEWS Tuesday, November 3, 2020 Contd. from page 1 contracting Covid-19. which have been designated as isolated and reported separately. Peliyagoda Fish Market and Special Task Probe... “Several crew members have been or where Covid-19 is prevalent,” State As such, the total number of deaths due to Force (STF) personnel. Health Ministry Secretary Maj. Gen. Dr. infected while fishing at Beruwala, so they Minister of Ornamental Fish, Freshwater Covid-19 in the country stands at 21. “However, all of them have been sent to Sanjeewa Munasinghe said that the latest cannot disembark until they have been Fish and Shrimp Farming Development, quarantine centres, or referred to barracks variant of the virus has been identified as cleared.” Multiday Fishing, and Fish Export for self-quarantine. STF personnel were B142, a subgroup of SARS (severe acute He said that all the fish stocks would be Kanchana Wijesekera told The Morning.