Reopening of schools: No one can run away from responsibility: Health Ministry

While saying that it was unfair to say that health authorities alone should take the responsibility for any possible spike of Covid cases with reopening of schools, Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath today said it was a responsibility of all citizens.

Addressing the media, he said the decision to reopen schools had been taken by the education ministry in order to ensure that the education of students was carried out without a hindrance.

“When schools are opened during such a pandemic situation, it is the responsibility of everyone to ensure the safety of students and others by adhering to the health guidelines,” he added.

“We have given necessary instructions and guidelines as to how they should conduct schools. It is up to them to make sure those instructions are put into practice and also guidelines are observed,” Dr Herath stressed.

He also said it was not practical for them as health officials to act as watchmen and see whether things are going well.

Therefore, Dr. Herath underlined that, since it is a collective responsibility, no one could escape from it.

Meanwhile, he said the Health Ministry is currently in the process of making necessary arrangements to start vaccination whenever a vaccine is available after the first week of February. (Sheain Fernandopulle)