The home quarantine program for mildly affected Covid-19 patients, which is currently limited to the Western Province, will be launched islandwide from Friday.
Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said under the program asymptomatic and mildly-affected patients will be permitted to stay at home and a doctor will be assigned to check them twice a day. “We are exploring the possibility of providing pulse oximeters for such patients to check their blood oxygen levels at home, since this is very crucial for home quarantining people to see whether they are developing severe Covid-19,” the Minister said.
At present, the program is being implemented in the Western Province.
“It is important for patients to be with their family at a time like this. If they have facilities for self-quarantine at home, they will be permitted to stay at home. This program will also ensure that hospitals will be available for those who need them most,” she said.
The Minister said more details of this facility will be released to the media in the coming days. A Gazette will also be issued tomorrow making health guidelines such as wearing the face mask mandatory. The Health Services Director General will be empowered by the Gazette to institute legal action against those who violate the law.