brand logo

Govt. bans public gatherings in May

25 Apr 2021

  • Hike in infections in the very young: Sudarshini

  • SL at Alert Level 3: District level clusters  

  • New guidelines issued

By Yumiko Perera   With the increasing incidence of Covid-19 cases within the country, State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics, and Covid Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said that public gatherings would not be allowed in the upcoming month of May. “Many Covid-19 clusters and sub clusters are forming across certain parts of the island these days,” Dr. Fernandopulle observed. Highlighting that there is a rise in Covid-19 infections among very young persons, Dr. Fernandopulle further mentioned that steps would be taken to isolate areas where the highest number of infections have been reported. A significant hike in fresh Covid-19 cases has been detected across the island since the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season, and with the upcoming Vesak festival, there is an even higher risk of the spread of the virus. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera pointed out that while newer regulations and restrictions targeting the upcoming Vesak festival week have been imposed, the public is expected to abide by the existing Covid-19 related health safety measures and guidelines, especially the maintaining of social distancing and the wearing of face masks, to prevent the further spread of the virus and the possible emergence of a third wave. The revised guidelines focus on the level of activity permitted and the number of persons permitted to engage in certain functions, according to the document issued by State Minister Dr. Fernandopulle. The Government has published the revised guidelines concerning public activities in response to the sudden surge in Covid-19 cases across the island. According to the said document, Alert Level One pertains to cases reported as having come from outside of the country and those detected in quarantine (therefore there are no clusters); Alert Level Two concerns a single cluster of cases; Alert Level Three involves several clusters in different Districts; while Alert Level Four is with regard to cases that appear with no connection to any cluster (community transmission). As identified by the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka is currently at Alert Level Three. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Police Media Spokesman Deputy Inspector General of Police Ajith Rohana reminded the public to abide by the present Covid-19 guidelines. "With the upcoming Vesak festival, it is important that people follow the basic Covid-19 related health guidelines in order to curb the spread of the virus."  


More News..