23 employees of Sirio apparel factory test positive for COVID-19

• Company announces temporary closure of the factory

Sirio Ltd. in Badalgama — a leading apparel manufacturer in the country yesterday announced that 23 of its employees have tested positive for COVID-19, and thereby the firm has decided to temporarily close the factory for a few days to prevent further spread of the virus until the pending PCR results are received.

Issuing a statement, the company said that all those who closely associated with them were traced and directed for PCR tests with the help of the Regional MOH Director and other MOH doctors and PHIs. 

Sirio was able to carry out over 500 PCR tests on 2 December and are awaiting for the results now.

“We kindly request our staff, their families and loved ones, including the residents of the area, to take this opportunity to act in the best possible way to strengthen the country’s economy by following the guidelines and instructions given by the health services. Our appreciation goes out to all of you who are patient at this time. Special thanks go to all the health authorities and PHIs who have been assisting at this juncture,” the company said.

“While functioning without any issues for the last two months, from the date the second wave began, an employee in the production unit who has had fever and cold had gone to the Negombo District General Hospital. The hospital staff had asked her to self-quarantine for 14 days. Sirio, having immediately tested her during its routine weekly PCR tests, had found her to be COVID-19 positive on 25 November,” the statement said.

On the following day, Sirio arranged PCR tests for their first contacts and second contacts as well, and found that all were negative. Based on the recommendations of the medical officer who visits the company daily, two employees from the production unit who showed some symptoms were included for PCR testing. Subsequently, they were found positive for the virus on 29 November, and their close associates were traced and directed to PCR tests and self-quarantine.

With the prevailing situation in the country and upon advice from the medical officer of health, Sirio took immediate steps to trace the first contacts and have sent them for self-quarantine. 

Despite the MOH Office of Gampaha District requesting Sirio to continue operations of its factory, Sirio decided to temporarily close the factory for a few days to prevent further spread of the virus until the pending PCR results are received,” the statement said.

Sirio provides employment for around 2,250 employees, and wellbeing of tens of thousands of their family members. The firm said that they recommenced its operations in April this year after the closure with the assistance of PHIs and medical officers, strictly adhering to all precautionary and safety measures set out by the Board of Investment (BOI)

With the intention of further strengthening its safety at workplace, the company has conducted over 900 PCR tests to-date, and an additional 600 PCR tests have been conducted by the MOH office.