COLOMBO (News 1st): The upcoming month is a very decisive period given the conduct of the citizens during the New Year season, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, the Head of the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said on Wednesday (Apr. 21).

“The entire nation saw how certain individuals failed to adhere to the COVID-19 health guidelines in the past week in line with the festivities,” Army Commander told reporters on Wednesday morning (21) attending the departure event of Sri Lankan troops for peacekeeping missions in Mali.

According to General Shavendra Silva, several variants of the COVID-19 virus are being detected in other countries, whilst COVID-19 positive cases are confirmed among the repatriated Sri Lankans upon conducting PCR tests following arrival.

“There is a risk of COVID-19 spreading among the community, given the conduct of the people in the past days,” Army Commander General Shavendra Silva stressed.

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