Re-opening country will be risky If proper mechanism not in place: PHIs warn

Total lockdown in Colombo not fair

• It is of utmost importance that the authorities monitor the movements of the tourists who arrive in the country

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

Responding to the Government’s preparations to reopen the country for tourists early next year, the Public Health Inspectors Union said the re-opening of the country would be risky if authorities were not keen on initiating a proper plan.  

PHIU Secretary M. Balasooriya told Daily Mirror that reopening of the country had been a prolonged decision and added there was no issue in reopening the country if plans were properly executed.  
He said there are some important points that need to be taken into consideration if the authorities are to reopen the borders.  

“Each tourist other than VVIP guests must be educated of the Sri Lankan law in accordance with the 1897 Quarantine Ordinance through embassies and Sri Lanka tourism agencies before they arrive in Sri Lanka,” he said.  

“The tourists should also be advised to subject themselves to an Antigen Test before they arrive in Sri Lanka and bring a clearance certificate,” he added.  
Balasooriya also said it is of utmost importance that the authorities monitor the movements of the tourists who arrive in the country.  

He said these steps should be taken into account apart from the decisions which have been already taken.  
Meanwhile, when asked whether it is necessary to put the city of Colombo under lockdown, he said there was no such absolute need to lockdown Colombo but he stressed the Covid-19 situation in some areas in the city was yet to be controlled.  

“If we put the entire city of Colombo under lockdown, it would not be fair by ther people living in areas where there is a lesser risk,” Balasooriya underlined. 

 
“Therefore, what should be done is to identify the risk factors and analyse them accordingly. It is also vital to categorize the infected patients according to their origins.  

He also raised the importance to increase the frequency of PCR tests and Antigen tests being carried out in high-risk areas.