Success of COVID-19 programs depends on people’s cooperation: Army Commander

Army Commander and NOCPCO Head Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva

Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, who heads the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), says it will be the people of the country who decide if the battle with the new coronavirus is won or lost. In this brief interview, the Army Commander spoke on the Army’s role in the quarantine process and on the need for the public to strictly follow the advice given by health authorities in this time of crisis. Following are excerpts:

Q: How is the quarantine process of persons suspected of being exposed to COVID-19 progressing?

A: We have successfully carried out the program so far. More than 3,500 people have been integrated into society at the end of the quarantine period. On the instructions of the health authorities, after their departure from the centres, they were told to undergo another 14 days of self-quarantine. Another 1,189 people are in 51 quarantine centres at the moment. They are in quarantine centres run by the Army, Air Force and Navy. The Sri Lanka Army has provided them with all facilities.

The quarantine programs are not aimed at isolating a certain community. There is no racism in the COVID-19 preventive programs. Every community that has been affected must undergo the same procedure. This is a virus that has devastated the world. For example, about 250 people who were involved in a church service in Jaffna were quarantined. These people came forward and supported the program. A few days later we lifted the curfew only for the Jaffna Peninsula, but the people of the area asked us to re-impose the curfew. None of our programs have targeted any community. Unfortunately, some people have tried to misinterpret it. We, as Sri Lankans, need to work together to eliminate this virus.  

Q: What measures have been taken to normalise civilian life during the curfew?

A: Curfews have been implemented in our country at various times, but this is a different curfew. That's why I’ve been using the word quarantine curfew since the day it started. This is a health curfew. A curfew to protect the citizens. You must understand this. If everybody agreed to stay inside their homes, then there would have been no curfew. The curfew is imposed with some flexibility, so people have access to basic services and food, medicines, etc. The President has established a task force to provide these essential items. 

Q: How have you managed to trace contacts of those infected with COVID-19?

A: There have been instances where people have hidden their illnesses. They cannot plead ignorance as there have been many public awareness programs. Doctors say cough and fever are among the symptoms and now everyone knows this. Sri Lanka has some of the best doctors in the world. 

First, we increased the number of hospitals from 14 hospitals to 24. We opened a hospital in Homagama for this purpose. We have very good intelligence in our Army. We traced all those who had contact with the infected tour guide. We were able to do this because we had a good strategy. We went to find them and told them how to self-isolate. The only ones who are hiding are the ones we could not find yet. Because we have had stringent measures in place, we have limited the death toll and restricted the number of infected patients. 

Q: As the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, what is your message to the people of the country?

A: We are dealing with a life-and-death situation here. Unless you go out there and get a virus, the coronavirus will not come to your house. We are not doctors, but we know that as we work closely with doctors in the task force. What we are doing is to protect the people of our country. No matter how catastrophic and dangerous the challenge is, we are a country that will finally emerge victorious. Whether this new coronavirus wins or not is up to the people. If the people adhere to the guidance given by the doctors, we can overcome this. The public must help us to help them by staying in their homes.

We are dealing with a life-and-death situation here. Unless you go out there and get a virus, the coronavirus will not come to your house. We are not doctors, but we know that as we work closely with doctors in the task force. What we are doing is to protect the people of our country. No matter how catastrophic and dangerous the challenge is, we are a country that will finally emerge victorious. Whether this new coronavirus wins or not is up to the people. If the people adhere to the guidance given by the doctors, we can overcome this. The public must help us to help them by staying in their homes