Govt. cautious when deciding lockdowns: Johnston

By Yohan Perera   

The government will act tactfully and with caution when it comes to deciding whether to subject the country to a lockdown, a senior minister said yesterday.   

Minister of Highways and Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando said the government will act with caution when it comes to making important decisions such as subjecting the country to a lockdown. Addressing a function at Bamunukotuwa over the weekend he said.   

“The Government will act with caution when it comes to deciding on a lockdown. We will never put the people into difficulty,” the Minister said. 

 
“The opposition appears to be trying to gain political advantage out of the COVID-19 Pandemic. They keep on calling for a lockdown. However, we will act with caution when it comes to deciding on a lockdown,” he added.   
The minister denied allegations made by the opposition that conducting of the general election had led to the current spread of COVID-19. “The general election was held with care as no one was allowed to put up posters and to hold large rallies,” he said.   

Minister Fernando said the President, Prime Minister and the health officials are acting with responsibility to overcome the current pandemic.   

• The opposition appears to be trying to gain political advantage out of the COVID-19 Pandemic. They keep on calling for a lockdown