5 November 2020 12:00 am
Some media institutions have also asked their journalists to bear the cost to conduct PCR tests, which is a very unfair situation
By Sheain Fernandopulle
It is much appropriate to provide a special facility to conduct PCR tests on journalists especially freelance and independent, as they are involved in news reporting island-wide despite Covid-19 fears, the Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLT) Association said yesterday.
Association Chairman Ravi Kumudesh in a letter, brought the situation to the notice of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that it was difficult for the journalists to fund the cost to carry out PCR tests on themselves in the backdrop of several of their fellow journalists having already contracted the Covid-19 virus.
“Some media institutions have also asked their journalists to bear the cost to conduct PCR tests, which is a very unfair situation especially for the freelance and independent journalists.
Therefore, he on behalf of journalists urged to pay attention to this and take pertinent measures to arrange facilities to carry out PCR tests on the journalists especially those involved in countrywide reporting.
He also requested the President to provide the relevant facilities required to practice their profession without a hitch during this point of the pandemic situation.