25 December 2020 12:00 am
By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya
The Public Health Inspector’s Union of Sri Lanka urged the Government and relevant authorities that travel restrictions be imposed to prevent people from crossing provincial borders during the festive season as the high number of Covid-19 cases reported in the Western Province.
The Union’s Chairman Upul Rohana said that Covid patients were increasing in the community at an unprecedented level. He said a large number of patients continue to be reported from the Colombo Municipal Council area in the Colombo District.
“Similar situations are being reported in Gampaha and Kalutara districts as well,” he said.
He said it was observed that three main groups have been travelling dangerously especially during the festive season.
“The first group is that those residing outside the Western Province, who are working in the Province are currently on their way home.
“The second group is those who come to the Western Province from rural areas to obtain goods and services. They seem to be acting in a very risky way of violating quarantine rules.
“The third group is those under quarantine or in isolated areas in the Western Province. They also travel to other parts of Sri Lanka,” he said.
He said there was a higher risk that the virus being spread to other parts of the country if the restrictions were not imposed in the Western Province and other risk areas.