Allowing fully vaccinated foreigners sans PCR is like inviting another wave: NTUF

Denouncing the move to allow fully vaccinated foreign passengers to travel in the country without PCR test, National Trade Union Front (NTUF) said today it was similar to inviting another wave as fully vaccinated people could still transmit COVID-19.

NTUF President Saman Rathnapriya told a news conference that it was surprising for the Director General of Health Services to give an approval to such a move when there was no scientific evidence that the virus is not transmitted through fully vaccinated people.

He questioned the Health DG on what scientific basis the new guidelines were issued by him to allow fully vaccinated people to travel in the country without PCR test.

Rathnapriya said all the Covid variants such as Alpha and Delta entered the country through overseas visitors and added that this move is an attempt to invite another wave.

“Travellers from India, Russia, Ukraine, UK and Malaysia could visit Sri Lanka. They may bring in the virus and new variants just as they did earlier. This move will put the lives of Sri Lankans in absolute danger,” he said.

Rathnapriya said according to statistics of the Health Ministry, 183 covid patients who were fully vaccinated have died within a week between September 11 and 17.

“That is, 20% of fully vaccinated people have died of the virus.

 According to the overall report by September 17, 583 fully vaccinated people have died out of  10,995. It is a significant percentage. This means that people can still lose their lives even after being fully vaccinated,” he said.

He said people were not protected from being infected even after fully vaccinated and added that it only creates antibodies and reduces mortality.

“There is no scientific finding that fully vaccinated people are not infected with Covid-19. The Health DG should be responsible for his decision,” he said.(Ajith Siriwardana)