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SLMA calls for gradual return to normalcy 

06 Oct 2021

BY Buddhika Samaraweera  Pointing out that 80-90% of the population in the country is currently aware of how to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic through community health practices, the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) has stated that it is therefore important to return to a normal lifestyle gradually. “Between 80% and 90% of the people in the country are now aware of the prevention of Covid-19 through community health practices. Such a situation has never existed before. However, I don’t think that it is possible to lead a normal lifestyle at once. The important thing is to focus on achieving it gradually,” SLMA President Dr. Padma Gunaratne said. She was responding to a question at a media briefing held at the SLMA yesterday, as to at what point the people would be able to return to a normal lifestyle. Meanwhile, speaking at a media briefing held yesterday, Health Ministry Communications Director, Public Health Services Deputy Director General (DDG), and Disaster Preparedness and Response Division Head Dr. Hemantha Herath said that the people would be able to move towards a new normalisation without having to close the country from time to time if they follow the health guidelines in carrying out economic and social activities. “It is very important that we carry out our day-to-day economic and social activities in accordance with the Covid-19-related health guidelines.” The islandwide lockdown status, which was imposed in August due to the increase of daily Covid-19 infections and deaths in the country and was in place for six weeks, was lifted at 4 a.m. on 1 October. According to the Epidemiology Unit, as of 11.30 p.m. on 4 October, Sri Lanka had recorded 13,102 Covid-19 deaths, while the total number of infections stood at 521,218, of which a total of 477,374 patients have recovered.


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