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Retain inter-provincial barriers: Health Ministry and Govt. lab techs

27 Sep 2021

 
  • Health Ministry, govt. lab techs weigh in on reopening
  • Sudarshini calls for gradual reopening
  BY Buddhika Samaraweera The Health Ministry and the College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) have pointed out that even if the current lockdown status is to be lifted in the coming days, the continuation of travel restrictions between provinces will help further control the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. There have been reports in the last few days that the Government is planning to lift the lockdown status which was imposed due to the rapid spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, subject to certain limitations. Accordingly, when contacted by The Morning, Health Ministry Communications Director, Public Health Services Deputy Director General (DDG), and Disaster Preparedness and Response Division Head Dr. Hemantha Herath said that even when the spread of Covid-19 in a certain area is brought under control, it could be affected by inter-provincial travel. Therefore, he said that it would be more appropriate for the Government to consider maintaining inter-provincial travel restrictions when deciding on the reopening of the country. “At present, several options are being discussed and the Government will take the final decision based on the recommendations given by the Health Ministry. What we believe is that when the Covid-19 spread is controlled in one area and not in another, the movement of people between those areas could cause a further spread. Therefore, it is better for travel restrictions between provinces to be maintained further,” he added. Meanwhile, Primary Healthcare, Epidemics, and Covid-19 Disease Control State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle yesterday (27) told the media that she hoped that the country would be reopened in a few stages, subject to certain limitations. “I hope that the country will be reopened subject to restrictions, and systematically, and not all at once,” she said. Further, CMLS President Ravi Kumudesh also told The Morning that if inter-provincial travel restrictions could be maintained even after reopening the country, the spread of Covid-19, which has been brought under control to some extent as of present, could be further controlled. He noted that although the current lockdown status is not maintained in a scientific manner, some control of the spread of the virus could be seen now. “Mainly, the public transport services were suspended due to the lockdown status. However, it seems to have had a somewhat satisfactory effect in controlling the spread of the virus. Therefore, it can be further controlled if the travel restrictions between the provinces can be maintained further,” he said. Moreover, he said that even after the reopening of the country, tests should be carried out under a scientific methodology, covering all districts, in order to identify the Covid-19 infected. “We are currently requesting for a few mobile vehicles. If we are given them, we will be able to carry out tests in every district and conduct a scientific analysis.” Taking into account the rapid spread of Covid-19 and the increase of the number of Covid-19 deaths in the country, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on 20 August, declared a lockdown status, which has subsequently been extended on multiple occasions, with the latest extension being till 4 a.m. on 1 October 2021.

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