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Banning public entry of ‘not fully vaccinated’ scrapped

27 Apr 2022

  • Gazette Extraordinary effective from 30 April to not be implemented
BY Buddhika Samaraweera The Gazette Extraordinary preventing persons not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 from entering or being in public places with effect from 30 April will not be implemented, taking into account the prevailing situation in the country, The Morning learnt. Speaking to The Morning yesterday (26), a top-level official of the Health Ministry said: “Since the publication of this Gazette that prevents those who have not obtained all three Covid-19 vaccines from entering public places, the country’s socio-economic situation has undergone a plethora of changes. In this backdrop, it will not be implemented, and it is not good to even talk about its implementation.” He also said that even if the relevant Gazette is to be implemented, the chances of it being successful are very slim, especially in the midst of large crowds gathering across the country these days. However, he added that the implementation of the Gazette would be considered after reviewing the situation in the future, adding that the Director General of Health Services and other relevant agencies would make the relevant notifications in that regard. Then-Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella issued a Gazette Extraordinary preventing those who have not obtained the first, second, and third doses of the Covid-19 vaccine from entering or being in public places with effect from 30 April. In February 2022, Health Ministry Medical Technology Services Director and Co-ordinator in Charge of Covid-19 Operations Dr. Anver Hamdani said that the implementation of this Gazette would be monitored by the Police and security officials at the respective premises. Further noting that vaccination cards would be considered as proof when this decision is being implemented, he had said that the introduction of digitalised proof was also being considered. However, he had said that the introduction of such a system may take a bit more time, as there was a technical process to be followed.


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