AMS urges govt. to ban public gathering and re-impose restrictions

The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) of Sri Lanka today urged the government to ban public gatherings, including political rallies, tuition classes, review and re-adjust the time table of school reopening and re-impose restrictions for public transport etc.

The AMS wants the government to enforce stern restrictions to contain the spread of Covid-19 before it is too late.

Dr. L.A.Ranasinghe, President of the Association of Medical Specialists in a press communique stressed that expanding PCR testing among risk groups and random community testing would be crucial in the fight against this viral infection.

“Active contact tracing and if necessary, even limited lock downs should also be imposed without any hesitation,” Dr. Ranasinghe emphasized.

“Recent escalation of positive Covid -19 cases and their geographical distribution in the country compel us to suspect that there is imminent or established community transmission in Sri Lanka. We strongly feel that it would be quite prudent to assume as established community transmission even as low grade in order to minimize further spread and it's dreadful eventualities,” he said.

We should never ignore the fact that our existing health care capacity with its limitations will not be able to meet national treatment requirements. It will be far worse when it comes to intensive care, Dr. Ranasinghe added.

While appreciating all successful measures taken and hard work done so far by health authorities and the military with the correct leadership, the AMS earnestly requests the government to take a serious note on the current status to act fast, not pretending that there is no crisis, the AMS said.(Sandun A. Jayasekera)