13 May 2020 12:05 am
By Sandun A Jayasekera
The Health and security officials yesterday expressed their disappointment and displeasure over the behaviour of the public on Monday after curfew was relaxed for 15 hours in the country except in the Colombo and Gampaha Districts.
Director General, Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Anil Jasinghe said he witnessed that people gathered in large numbers to towns, markets, retail outlets and eateries with no care at all on the dangers they were exposed to.
“They must stop this at once. People must go to the town or to the shops only to purchase essential goods like food and medicine. I think people paid no attention to this advice we have given through the print and electronic media since the Covid-19 outbreak in mid March,” Dr. Jasinghe lamented.
He sounded alarm that if there was any escalation of infections on Monday, it will be known only after two weeks because the virus takes a minimum of 10 days to incubate and show symptoms. By then it will be too late, he added.
DIG Ajith Rohana said the government will have to reconsider the relaxation of curfew before long if people ignore health and security guidelines and instructions and behave irresponsibly taking advantage of the relaxation of the curfew.
“The Police did not expect such a large number of three wheelers, vehicles and people in the city and on roads on Monday. We tightened the security measures today to apply the law to the letter on those who violate the curfew regulations and security instructions,” Mr. Rohana stressed.
Meanwhile, the traffic Police had arrested 491 persons and detained 194 vehicles during the 24 hours ending at 6.00 am yesterday for violating curfew regulations.