Alarming to see business establishments disregard health guidelines: Rosy

Whilst stating that it is alarming to see business establishments, trade establishments and individuals having a sheer disregard to health guidelines, Mayoress of Colombo Rosy Senanayake today urged the general public to follow even more stringent health guidelines stipulated by health authorities.

“It is alarming to see many business establishments, including restaurants, hotels, shops, and supermarkets, openly ignoring health guidelines on crowding, temperature checks, and contact info gathering. This is reckless disregard of customer and employee safety, and completely unacceptable. Fancy statements on corporate social responsibility amount to nothing if you do not step up now!,” Ms. Senanayake said in a special statement.

“I am appealing to you all to be extremely vigilant and cautious in your activities. Take your responsibility to yourself and others, very seriously. The authorities will, and are, doing their best to keep you safe. However they cannot succeed if individuals and institutions act irresponsibly. It is shocking to see people putting the lives of many at risk by acting with sheer disregard for the current situation,” she added.

“Sri Lanka is at a critical point in the battle against the spread of Covid-19. It’s no secret that the number of Covid patients and related fatalities are at the highest levels since the epidemic hit us. The government is doing its best to manage the situation, but the health system is severely stretched, and health officials are struggling to cope. This is not unique to Sri Lanka as we have seen how the health systems of even the most developed economies struggled to cope with the epidemic,” she also said. 

Ms. Senanayake urged all citizens to get themselves vaccinated if not already done so, not to leave home unless it is necessary, not to permit visitors unless it is necessary, wear double masks and not to abuse the permission given by the government to do certain things. “Businesses also should encourage employees to work from home unless it’s absolutely necessary to be physically present at work. In such instances they should try to provide a mode of transport for the individual that minimizes exposure. Furthermore, employees may take unnecessary risks due to concerns about losing their jobs. It is incumbent on the employer not to create that work environment,” she said.(Yohan Perera)