Sri Lanka: COVID-19 Update

Official Website 

• The Health Promotion Bureau (HPB)- COVID-19
  The bureau is under the Ministry of Health and is developing and issuing information, education, and communication (IEC) material regarding COVID-19 (English). 

• The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health- COVID-19
  The department is working to promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling diseases, injury, and disability. They are developing risk communications material for the prevention of COVID-19 (English). 

• The Health Promotion Bureau COVID-19 Tracker
  The bureau provides the latest national updates. This information includes the total number of cases, deaths, those who have recovered and been discharged from the hospital, and the total number of deaths. 

Reports & Guidelines 

• Guideline for the Home Quarantine / Quarantine in Non-health Care Settings
  The guidelines explain how to conduct home quarantine and quarantine in a non-healthcare setting. It provides information about measures expected to be taken (English). 

• Rational Use of PPE and Infection Prevention and Control of COVID 19
  The document explains how the coronavirus spreads, the measures to take to prevent infection, and the specific use of personal protective equipment (PPEs) (English). 

• Management of Accidental Discovery of Suspected COVID-19 Patient in the Hospital
  The report provides a methodology when discovering a patient suspected of having contracted COVID-19. It provides details for the suspected patients, other patients in the ward, health care workers, and the immediate environment (English). 

• Interim Guidelines for Sri Lankan Primary Care Physicians
  The guideline provides information on the management and procedures regarding the COVID-19 pandemic for primary care physicians at various levels of health facilities (English, Sinhala & Tamil). 

• Hospital Preparedness for COVID-19 A Practical Manual
  The manual provides a basic outline to establish COVID-19 screening centers islandwide. This Information includes the setup of triage areas, specialized wards, and additional features of Express Treatment Units (ETUs) in the context of prevention and control of COVID-19 infection (English). 

• Guidance for Preparedness and Response for COVID-19 Outbreak in the School Setting
  The interim guideline provides direction for safety measures on school preparedness as they are reopening (English). 

• Health Ministry’s Stand on Wearing Masks, Gloves, and Disinfections
  The guideline explains the use of masks, gloves, and the process of disinfection appropriately as per the standard instructions (English). 

• Combat COVID-19 with a New Style of Life
  The guidelines were issued as the country resumes with the new normal lifestyle. It includes provisions for using public transport, when shopping for essentials, buying goods from mobile vendors, using lifts in the office, at household, and at the workplace (English, Sinhala & Tamil). 

• Rational Use of PPE and Infection Prevention and Control of COVID-19- Minimum Recommendations in Sri Lanka
  The booklet provides the minimum recommendation established within the country for the rational use of PPE, infection prevention, and control of COVID-19 in various settings (English). 

• Interim Guidance for Medical and Surgical Procedures in Relation to COVID-19
  The interim guideline provides recommendations for the smooth recommencement of surgical and medical procedures in relation to the COVID-19 (English). 

• General Welfare of COVID-19 PCR Positive Symptomatic and Mildly Symptomatic Individuals
  The guideline recommends certain measures for the physical and psychological well-being of the COVID-19 PCR positive symptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients (English). 

• COVID-19 Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE)
  The report was prepared based on a risk communication framework and risk communication plans and describes risk communication related to COVID-19 (English). 

• Discharge Criteria for COVID-19 Patients- Version 3
  The guideline details revised recommendation criteria to discharge of COVID-19 confirmed patients (English). 

• Interim Summary Guidelines for Clinical Management of Patients with Novel CoronaVirus (2019 – N CoV)
  The document summarizes the guide that should be adopted in the clinical management of patients with COVID-19 (English). 

• Public Advice Form to Minimize the Possible Risk of Spreading the Coronavirus in the Country
  The document provides advice to the public  to minimize the possible risk of spreading the Coronavirus in the country (English & Sinhala). 

• New Coronavirus: Fact Sheet for School Children
  The leaflet provides advice to school children in order to minimize the possible risk of spreading the Coronavirus within the school community (Sinhala). 

• Follow Up of Sri Lankan Students/Nationals and other Foreign Nationals Returning from High-risk Areas for Ongoing Coronavirus Transmission
  The document provides a guideline for the regional epidemiologist (RE), area medical officer of health (MOH), and the area public health inspector (PHI) as they monitor the conditions of individuals returning from high-risk countries (English). 

• Revision to Interim Summary Guidelines for Clinical Management of Patients with Novel Coronavirus
  The revised guidelines provide public health care workers with updated procedures for the clinical management of COVID-19 patients (English). 

• Q & A on Coronavirus
  The document has compiled and most frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding COVID-19 and provides explanations and solutions addressing these matters according to the World Health Organization (WHO) (English). 

• Interim Guidance for Sri Lankan Flights to and from China
  The guideline lists the key instructions that should be provided by the flight crew to passengers who are taking flights between Sri Lanka and China (English). 

• Interim Biosafety Guidelines for Laboratories
  The guideline provides instructions to laboratory workers on handling samples or materials associated with the coronavirus (English). 

• Guidance for Workplace Preparedness for COVID-19
  The document outlines the key steps to be taken at workplaces to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus (English). 

• Instructions: Quarantine of High-Risk Individuals for the Control of New Coronavirus – 2
  The document provides instructions to relevant health care officers on the quarantine of high-risk individuals for the control of the coronavirus (English). 

• Instructions: Release of Persons who have been Quarantined from the Quarantine Centres
  The document provides instructions to quarantine center managers and officers when releasing a person who has been quarantined in the designated quarantine centers (English). 

• Epidemiology Unit Position on COVID-19 –SARS CoV-2 Testing Methods for Diagnosis in Outbreak Control and Prevention
  The document states the position of the departments in regards to COVID-19 –SARS CoV-2 testing methods for diagnosis in outbreak control and prevention of the infection (English). 

• Quarantine Measures for Travelers Arriving from Overseas During the Pandemic of COVID-19
  The circular informs the quarantine measures that are imposed for travelers arriving in Sri Lanka as of July 7, 2021. It details the processes prior to and after they have arrived in the country including the steps following the results of their PCR test (English & Sinhala).

• Integrated Home-Based Isolation and Management of Asymptomatic & Mildly Symptomatic COVID-19 Infected Individuals – Revised Guidelines for Pilot Project in the Western Province
  The revised guidelines from the pilot project detail remote assessment systems, treatment options, and a form to be submitted to public health offices in order to monitor local cases (English & Sinhala).

• COVID-19 & Beyond – the Impact on the Labour Market of Sri Lanka
  The report discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labor market. The research employs a digital survey method to identify and analyze the conditions and challenges of the private sector (English & Sinhala).

• COVID-19 Impact on Job Postings: Real-Time Assessment Using Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Online Job Portals
  The brief presents a rapid assessment of labor markets in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 crisis using data from the largest online job portals (English).

• Economic and Poverty Impact of COVID-19: Sri Lanka development update 2021
  The publication analyzes key developments over the past 12 months in Sri Lanka’s economy, places these in a longer-term and global context, and updates the outlook for Sri Lanka’s economy. It also provides a more in-depth examination of selected economic and policy issues. The report is targeted at a wide audience that includes policymakers, business leaders, financial market participants, think tanks, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the community of analysts, and professionals interested in the evolving economy (English).

• COVID-19 Sri Lanka Strategic Preparedness & Response Plan 2021
  The plan details the national plan to end the COVID-19 pandemic and build resilience and readiness for the future in Sri Lanka (English).

• A Guide to Positive Behaviours, Their Barriers, and Facilitating Factors to Fight COVID-19 in Sri Lanka for New Normalcy
  The guideline provides the identified positive behaviors to fight COVID-19 for new normalcy. It evidences the effectiveness, aims, and barriers of the behavior as well as how to enforce the behavior practically in Sri Lanka (English).

• Strategic Directions for Community Engagement for COVID-19
  The document provides support for the much-needed behaviors expected from individuals and communities to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 (English).

• Guidelines for COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Measures in Early Childhood Education and Care Services
  The guideline details risk mitigation measures for early childhood education and care services that would reduce children’s exposure to COVID-19 as well as the measures to restrict the probability of transmission in a preschool and childcare setting. It is applicable for preschools, early childhood development centers, child daycare centers, and childcare facilities (English & Sinhala).

Infographics & Posters 

• Defeat Corona
  The leaflet explains a wide range of COVID-19 measures that one should undertake to overcome the coronavirus (English). 

• How to Prevent from New Coronavirus
  The poster contains basic guidelines on the prevention of the coronavirus (Sinhala).

• Home Quarantine
  The leaflet provides insights into home quarantine and some of the guidance required to ensure that it is implemented effectively (English, Sinhala & Tamil).

• How to Wear Masks Properly
  The poster contains basic guidelines about wearing masks properly (Sinhala).

• Let’s Wash Hands and Save Lives
  The poster indicates the guidelines for washing hands (Sinhala).

Videos 

• How to Protect Yourself from COVID-19 as a Health Care Worker
  The video explains procedures for health care workers on how to protect themselves from COVID-19 (English). 
• Travel Awareness on COVID-19
  The video explains the measures one should take if they have certain symptoms after returning to Sri Lanka (English) 
• Adhering To Stay Home – Rules For Protection
  The video discusses the importance of staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic (English). 

• Message for the Youth on Protection and be Responsible During COVID-19
  The video explains how the youth should follow health guidelines and take responsibility during the COVID-19 situation (English). 

* Cover by Unsplash.