Repatriation of migrant workers may be slowed down

COLOMBO: The government will have to reduce the number of Sri Lankan returnees from abroad requesting quarantine at state-run facilities, owing to a reduction in the number of government quarantine centers, The Morning reported.

“Government-run quarantine centers which are utilized by returnees would have to be converted into intermediary treatment facilities to treat COVID-19-positive patients,” State Minister of Primary Healthcare, Epidemics, and Covid Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle told The Morning.

“This means that the number of Sri Lankans, both repatriates and expatriates, who return to the country seeking state-run quarantine centers, would have to be reduced for at least a month.”

Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union of Sri Lanka President Upul Rohana told The Morning that currently, state-run quarantine centers are used only by such returnees.

“COVID-19-positive patients are either sent to intermediary treatment facilities, or to hospitals. Their contacts are asked to quarantine at home,” explained Rohana.

It is reported that migrant workers are among those who seek state-run quarantine facilities, although returnees also have the option of paid quarantine facilities.

As of January 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that 68,000 Sri Lankans were awaiting repatriation to the country.

All attempts to contact the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) regarding the number of migrant workers still awaiting return and seeking state-run quarantine facilities proved futile.