Speaking to The Morning, Women’s Bureau of Sri Lanka Director Champa Upasena said that Covid-19 has posed a difficult challenge to the management of shelter homes, as the Bureau should now also be wary and active in its efforts to ensure that the virus does not spread within shelter homes. “We have mandated RATs for all women who require shelter home access, which is often provided by the Bureau itself. However, we do inform the women to get a PCR test if possible, prior to seeking shelter access. Sometimes, if they are already in hospital due to domestic violence-related injuries, they may be able to get a PCR test from the hospital before coming to stay in one of our homes,” said Upasena. Upasena also added that as an extra measure, women are given a separate room as soon as they come into a shelter home during the pandemic.

Source: The Nation June 23, 2021 18:00 UTC