Health unions say it is more important to look into what the country can do to be removed from the Red List, rather than thinking about when it will happen.
Speaking during a media briefing Chairman of the Academy of Health Professionals Ravi Kumudesh said the number of tests conducted in the country must be increased as much as possible to detect variants and the infection rate must be reduced, for this purpose.
Kumudesh said it costs less than Rs.10,000 to test variants, adding that the Ministry of Health had said tests are being conducted at the University of Colombo and several other institutions.
He added, however that a report is yet to be published. Kumdesh also said in order to be removed from a Red List the country’s infection rate is nearly 20%, adding that by imposing a scientific lockdown and travel restrictions it can be reduced to 10%.
He added however that the existing lockdown will not give the expected results.
Kumudesh further stated Sri Lanka has imposed a record number of lockdowns and travel restrictions.
He claimed five lockdowns had been imposed to get the same result which could’ve been achieved by one lockdown.
Kumudesh noted the results achieved through lockdowns imposed in the country are very limited, which is a burden to the country, people, health sector and the country’s global standing.
