Govt.’s policy is to keep the economy moving while containing Covid-19: Prez

Daily expenditure by Govt. to conduct PCR tests exceeds Rs. 60 million

9 November 2020 08:01 pm - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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It is the Government’s policy to keep the economy going while ensuring all the activities including employment, agriculture and fishing move forward, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa emphasised.

President made these remarks during the daily discussion with the members of the Task Force on COVID Prevention held at the Presidential Secretariat today (9).

COVID pandemic is a “health” issue. The responsibility of protecting people against the virus and steering the country forward lies with the health sector and the Government. President said that he strongly believes that Sri Lankan doctors and the health sector, one of the best in the world can easily achieve the target.

“We have three options in the face of the spread of the pandemic. The first is to lock down the entire country by imposing curfew. The second is not to do anything. Carrying our normal activities while controlling the disease is the third option and we opted for that”, President added.

“Our doctors and the hospital staff were able to diagnose COVID infected in the first stage and treat them accordingly. Therefore, intensive care services were not required. People must also extend their support in controlling the spread of the disease and preventing infection. President reiterated that media are responsible and duty-bound to communicate health guidelines that need to be followed to the general public”.

“Following the successful containment of the virus before media as well as the people have forgotten everything and shirked responsibility. The result is the current situation. The country cannot remain closed until the pandemic is wiped out from the world. We have to understand the ground reality and act accordingly. Infected persons are reported daily even from areas that have been closed for nearly 40 days. This shows that the pandemic cannot be controlled by lockdown alone”, President said.

“The daily expenditure by the Government to conduct PCR tests exceeds Rs. 60 million. A huge sum of money is spent daily on the entire process including quarantine. It is a ‘personal responsibility’ of the people to comprehend this situation and avoid falling prey to the disease”, President added.

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Comments - 11

Sam Silva Monday, 09 November 2020 08:42 PM

We need to get used to live with the virus and it is each one's responsible to stay safe without blaming the government. Also the government cannot babysit each citizen.

Jaye Monday, 09 November 2020 08:54 PM

The livelihood of daily paid workers must not have priority over the health of the whole population.

G abe Monday, 09 November 2020 10:54 PM

Daily paid workers and the low salary workers matter too, alot of people can survive coz they got money in the bank but these guys don't and their forced to see their families starve, the poor suffer the most always and people up top always stepping on them, should ban countries that eat dogs cats eats bats and pangoljns etc from entering country also mink fur producing countries coz there is a separate strain from mink now, all coz someone wants a fur coat made from the suffering of animals, humans deserve this, we can stop and evaluate what is necessary to live, Corona spawned from humans inhumanity

Ranjith W Monday, 09 November 2020 09:05 PM

Make sure by doing that you don’t allow corona to spread everywhere and end up making the current situation even worse

Sachi Kuhananthan, MD Monday, 09 November 2020 09:38 PM

Hello the President. You have more common sense than GMOA. Lockdowns, curfews and face masks won't help. They will only prolong the problem. Let the infection spread. Protect only the elderly and the people with serious medical problems. Don't waste money on testing. Use that money to buy vitamin D3 and Dexamethasone, both of which will save lives. Use the rest of the money to buy vitamin c and zinc, both of which will boost the immunity and prevent the infection.

pantha kumaran Monday, 09 November 2020 10:55 PM

Dear President, you may not like my comments You and your family are selling our country to China. I won't be surprised if a China man comes as the President of our country. You and your family are against minorities and you love China man run our country. God Bless our country.

G abe Monday, 09 November 2020 11:01 PM

Companies that make big bucks should close and furlough staff for a while, they can take a hit, only a matter of time till another factory spawns a cluster, but I'm sure the politicians have their hands in their pockets and dont want them to shut, should listen to Biden's strategy and not emulate trump

Kumar Tuesday, 10 November 2020 12:00 AM

People

Roshanaly Tuesday, 10 November 2020 10:55 AM

Reduce the price of the items that are used to protect Covid.

Em Tuesday, 10 November 2020 03:44 PM

Isn't the economy paralyzed Mr.Prez? Half working half not..

Mifaz Tuesday, 10 November 2020 04:20 PM

@jaye: Will you share your wealth with a needy who is starving now? Just one family but not by only by one meal, it has to be complete meal and their utilities been covered till this is over. If you are generous enough everyone can proceed with your idea.

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Govt.’s policy is to keep the economy moving while containing Covid-19: Prez

Daily expenditure by Govt. to conduct PCR tests exceeds Rs. 60 million

Comments - 11

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