Go in for immediate zonal lockdowns, warns GMOA

• Presently various types of virus variants were spreading rapidly in the world and neighbouring country India was already facing a high risk

BY CHATURANGA SAMARAWICKRAMA

The Government and Health Authorities must conduct immediate surveillance to locate COVID infected red zones accurately and must impose travel restrictions and zonal lockdowns without further delay, the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) today warned.

• Decisions taken by the political leadership, the health sector and the contribution by the public will result in controlling the COVID virus

GMOA Secretary Dr. Shenal Fernando said that presently various types of virus variants were spreading rapidly in the world and neighbouring country India was already facing a high risk. The global pandemic situation could affect Sri Lanka at any moment due to the careless behaviour by the people during the New Year season. Due to this, the total daily count was on the rise, he said. If we were unable to control the situation, it would exceed our health capacity, which is currently at a risk, he said. Accordingly, the decisions taken by the political leadership, the health sector and the contribution by the public will result in controlling the COVID virus, Dr Fernando said. Also, the GMOA introduced three strategies such as strengthening the surveillance mechanism, identifying patients and imposing travel restrictions and also make the public aware of the risk of infection through accurate and effective communication, Dr. Fernando added.