• The Provincial Health Directors had been instructed to carry out random PCR tests 
• Dr. Gunawardena said they had taken steps to increase the capacity of conducting the Rapid Antigen Tests in the country

 By Sheain Fernandopulle   

The Provincial Health Directors have been instructed to conduct random PCR tests in their respective areas to ascertain the progress of the prevailing travel restrictions.   

However, health authorities were of the opinion that it would take several weeks to witness any progress of the travel restrictions.   

According to the Health DG, the Provincial Health Directors had been instructed to carry out random PCR tests in order to determine the COVID-19 spread in the community level by this Saturday.  Meanwhile, responding to claims that the number of PCR tests had been reduced over the last week, Dr. Gunawardena said they had taken steps to increase the capacity of conducting the Rapid Antigen Tests in the country.  However, according to Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) statistics, the lowest numbers of daily PCR tests conducted in the country in a month, since May 16 this year, had been reported on June 15.