Families hit by COVID-19 to receive allowance

COLOMBO (News1st): An allowance will be given to families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, army commander lieutenant general Shavendra Silva has said. "A food hamper would be given to all families that are currently undergoing quarantine as well," the army commander said on Sunday. He requested individuals to restrict travelling between districts except for employees attached to essential service industries. "Employees attached to essential service sectors and those reporting to work, have been permitted to travel in the areas that are under curfew," Silva, who heads the National Operation Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak said. Meanwhile, health secretary Dr Sanjeewa Munasinghe has called on the public to support health officials if requested to undergo PCR tests. "You will be admitted to one of the three hospitals that we have identified to treat patients (if you test positive)," the secretary pointed out. He insisted that the virulence / the virus load of the COVID-19 virus is high during the second wave.