Health Ministry decides to monitor all export-oriented facilities under BOI

• Issues directive to BOI
• Calls on BOI-approved ventures to conduct PCR tests for minimum of 5% of workforce in consultation with MOH each week
• PCR testing can be done in 4 accredited private sector labs to ease burden on Govt. labs
• Reiterates importance of adhering to COVID-19 prevention health guidelines in all work settings

By Charumini de Silva

Considering the current COVID-19 outbreak situation in the country, the Health Ministry yesterday issued a directive to the Board of Investment (BOI) requiring all approved ventures to comply with new requirements.

In a memorandum to BOI Chairman Susantha Ratnayake, Health Services Acting Director General Dr. S. Sridharan said the Health Ministry had taken a policy decision to monitor all the workers in export-oriented manufacturing industries under the purview of the BOI, to ensure the safety of the workforce as well as the citizens of Sri Lanka.

All enterprises will have to confirm that PCR testing is done in minimum of 5% of the workforce, in consultation with the area’s respective Medical Officer of Health (MOH) in all export-oriented manufacturing industries under the purview of the BOI on a weekly basis.

Accordingly, the PCR testing is to be done preferably in an accredited private sector laboratory to ease off the current burden to the Government sector laboratories, Nawaloka Hospital Laboratories, Durdans Hospital Laboratories, Asiri Laboratories and Lanka Hospitals Laboratories.

“Each factory should have an identified focal point for this purpose. The name and contact details of the focal points of all factories should be informed to the Environmental and Occupational Health Unit of the Health Ministry and the area MOH,” the memorandum said.

The Ministry reiterated the importance of ensuring that COVID-19 prevention health guidelines are strictly adhered to in all work settings.