The Ministry of Health claims a group of experts have requested not to impose travel restrictions.
Speaking during a media briefing this afternoon, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said experts had made the request considering the economic loss.
Dr. Herath said a lengthy lockdown was enforced at the beginning of last year which resulted in the containment of the number of infections but it had a negative impact on the economy.
He said as doctors they were focusing on the wellbeing of the patients.
He added that they have currently received recommendations from experts from both fields.
Dr. Hemantha Herath noted that one group has recommended a lockdown while the other has said lockdown is not the solution, as the economy will be affected by the time the country re-opens.
Dr. Herath claimed economic experts have warned that a lockdown will result in difficulties in paying dues of daily wage earners.
When questioned by media over reports of bodies gathered at hospital morgues, the Deputy Director General said the delays in legal formalities sometimes result in the inability to dispose bodies on the same day.
He said steps have been taken to resolve such issues adding however these issues continue to occur from time to time.
Dr. Herath claimed the delays are not due to the lack of resources but due to delays in legal procedures
