COVID pandemic Health guidelines likely to be issued on arrivals from China

Minister says it will not be made mandatory

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama   

Sri Lanka is likely to issue health guidelines on arrivals from China, after the Chinese government announced that it would scrap mandatory COVID quarantine.   

“Health guidelines are likely to be issued on arrivals from China, but it will not be made mandatory,” Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.   

He told the Daily Mirror that with the current economic issues, they cannot take such decisions which will impact the economy and therefore no final decision was taken to restrict tourist activities.   

“Even though the COVID tests were mandatory, a request has been received to implement a new guideline to make people wear facemasks at public places again,” he said.   
However, the minister requested people not to panic and to continue practicing the health guidelines as done earlier to control the COVID pandemic.   

Meanwhile, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said that there is a vast spread of the COVID virus and no correct information is being released from the country. China has eased entry restrictions into the country.   

“There is an increase in the spread of the COVID virus among East Asian countries. A new COVID variant has been detected spreading in China, according to foreign media reports,” GMOA Spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said.   

However, India has taken a decision to quarantine all people arriving from East Asian countries to prevent spreading the virus in India.   

Likewise, the COVID surveillance system at Sri Lanka’s entry points should be strengthened again. In Sri Lanka, the detectable number of COVID positive cases has not yet reached zero. Each week, fewer than ten COVID positive cases are reported.At least 10 COVID deaths are reported per week.   

The GMOA requested the general public to follow basic health guidelines, such as wearing facemasks, to prevent the virus from resurfacing in society.