No country made specific COVID vaccine mandatory: Govt.

• Dr. Hemantha Herath told the Daily Mirror that the Foreign Ministry had informed that every country accepted foreigners no matter what vaccine they had been administered with
• If there is any country which wants those who visit that particular country to get vaccinated with a particular vaccine before entering, the Health Ministry would consider giving the preferred vaccine if it is available 

By Sheain Fernandopulle

The Foreign Ministry has informed the Health Ministry that no country has made a particular COVID-19 vaccine compulsory when entering their respective countries. Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath told the Daily Mirror that the Foreign Ministry had informed that every country accepted foreigners no matter what vaccine they had been administered with as long as they had been approved  by WHO.

“However, if there is any country which wants those who visit that particular country to get vaccinated with a particular vaccine before entering, the Health Ministry would consider giving the preferred vaccine if it is available in the country,” he pointed out.

“Accordingly, those people who are expecting to go overseas can receive the relevant  COVID-19 vaccine. However, they have to produce  documentary evidence and produce them to the Director-General of Health Services,” Dr. Herath added.

When asked as to how the Health DG could be accessed, he said such individuals could email the relevant documents and certificates to [email protected]

Dr. Herath further said that though there were moves by the Foreign Employment Bureau to get people expecting to go overseas, vaccinated with the jab recommended by the relevant country, all moves had been abandoned as of now because the Foreign Ministry had categorically stated that no country has made any COVID vaccine mandatory.

• However, they have to produce  documentary evidence and produce them to the Director-General of  Health Services