The Health Ministry yesterday issued special guidelines when closing down certain public premises as part of COVID-19 control measures.

In a memo to all provincial and regional directors of the health services, Health Services Acting Director General Dr. S. Sridharan said that although closing down of certain premises such as market places, factories and offices were important for effective control of the spread of COVID-19 cases under the present circumstances, it had now created more problems and complicated the control process for closing such institutions without proper risk assessment and planning.

Thereby, the Acting Director General yesterday introduced new measures to be adhered to when closing such institutions as part of COVID-19 control measures.

The new instructions include:



1) Do not close any premises without carrying out proper risk assessment and ensuring mechanism to implement such closure.



2) It should be carried out under the guidance and supervision of the medical officers of health of the area for small premises with involves less than 50 persons. However, such closure should be informed to Director General of Health Services, the proper authority under the Quarantine Act via the hotline of Health Ministry 0117966366.



3) For the closure of larger premises where over 50 persons are involved, prior approval of the Director General of Health Services should be obtained following procedure (2) before closing such premises.

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