1 February 2022 12:00 am Views - 191
By Kelum Bandara
Asserting that there won’t be any lockdown, State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana said only an internal discussion is underway to ascertain whether some curbs should be reintroduced to contain the spread of highly contagious Omicron variant. Sri Lanka, for the first time after 124 days, recorded more than 1,000 cases last Sunday.
Asked for a comment, the State Minister said there is an internal discussion whether some restrictions should be re-imposed, but a lockdown is ruled out.
“In some countries, the spread of Omicron is not considered seriously. It is taken as a normal situation. We pay attention to it. Also, we are on alert to see whether restrictions are needed or not. But, we will not go for a lockdown,” he said.
Emphasising the importance of getting boosted against COVID-19, he said hesitancy prevails among some people since they see it as a new kind of vaccination completely.
“We have to fight such misconception. The administration of booster doses is nothing but an extension of the same COVID-19 vaccination drive to boost immunity that otherwise dips for people double-jabbed after some time,” he said.