- PHIs urge public to not be complacent
- DGHS issues guidelines
“Similar to how Easter Sunday was marked, we are hoping that Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith will agree and advise the Catholic community of Sri Lanka to follow the health guidelines when carrying out festival celebrations,” Balasooriya noted.
While state-sponsored Buddhist religious events on Vesak and Poson were done in a controlled manner, the PHI’s Union believes that the Catholic/Christian community too will adhere to the set guidelines.
Moreover, the PHI’s Union said that should any of the churches need assistance from area PHIs to monitor the limited crowds that would be allowed to attend Christmas Eve mass, they are ready to deploy the necessary officers on request of the respective churches.
“Furthermore, the Easter Sunday mass was televised and broadcasted online as well. Therefore, we hope the Christmas Eve mass too can be virtually broadcasted to the public, so that they could attend the same from the comforts of their own homes,” Balasooriya elaborated. 
Although there will not be state-imposed travel restrictions, he said that if people can follow the guidelines and limit their outings or gathering in large crowds, healthcare services will be able to focus on treating Covid-19 patients effectively during this festive season.
He also stated that people should not be complacent about Covid-19 since the strains of the virus have evolved and can spread faster this time. Therefore, taking all necessary precautions to prevent the virus from being contracted is the best method people could follow to flatten the curve of the number of cases.
Festive season guidelines
On Wednesday (9), Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena urged the public as well as state and private institutions and businesses to strictly adhere to the issued guidelines.
“We are still seeing record numbers of Covid-19-positive cases being detected on a daily basis, as more PCR tests are being conducted. Therefore, I request from the institutions and businesses, as well as the general public, to co-operate by following the health guidelines,” Dr. Gunawardena told The Sunday Morning.
The Ministry of Health reiterated the guidelines that are already in place for the safety of the people, which are:
- Limit seasonal/Christmas shopping sprees.
- Do not take your entire family when going into shops; only one person should go and make the necessary purchases.
- Stick to the stores that are closest to your residence and go to the shop when there are fewer customers.
- Limit the festive celebration to the members of your family and avoid parties that would generally attract a large crowd. Refrain from organising such parties as well.
- Avoid hugging people when you meet them as a form of greeting; maintain physical distance at all times.
- Persons with non-communicable diseases have a high prevalence to develop complications, should they contract the virus. Therefore, limit the number of visitors at your residence and refrain from taking them to events or visits outside your home.
- When queuing up to make purchases, always maintain the required physical distancing; if you see anyone not adhering to the guidelines, you have the right to politely ask them to do so.
- Practise online purchasing methods, if possible.
- Limit going on family trips; if possible, refrain from going on trips entirely.
- Always follow the basic health guidelines accordingly. Wear a mask when going into a public space or accessing the transport services public/ride share service, maintain physical distancing methods as much as possible, wash hands frequently or use a sanitiser, practise respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth with the inside of your elbow when sneezing or coughing, and if you have a cold, try to limit your outdoor travels.