The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) yesterday issued interim guidelines for the management of solid waste generated by households and places under self-quarantine due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The guidelines are to be followed by every local authority until further notice from the Public Services, Provincial Councils, and Local Government Ministry or the Commissioner of Local Government. The guidelines have five sections: General instructions for local authorities and stakeholders; instructions for households and places subjected to quarantine; waste collection and disposal instructions for local authorities; occupational health and safety of waste handlers; and additional instructions for local authorities.

Localised on-site waste handling and disposal are encouraged to reduce exposure risk, but the relevant local authority is required to provide a special service for houses and places under self-quarantine, while continuing the regular service for all other places.

The special service must use a separate vehicle for waste collection and transport, appoint appropriate handling crew and provide them with safety equipment and sanitation facilities, and use appropriate waste collection bags and disinfectant substances and equipment.

Households and places where persons are undergoing self-quarantine must minimise waste generation. They must also divide waste into three containers or bags as kitchen and food waste, non-biodegradable waste, and special waste.

The latter includes waste and potentially contaminated items like face masks, gloves, handkerchiefs, tissues, sanitary pads, and diapers. The collection of items for recycling must also be suspended if a patient is identified from the area and the ‘Parisara Pola’ or ‘Kasala Pola’ program is to be temporarily suspended until the pandemic ceases.

Dual cluster exceeds 12,000 cases