The Ministry of Health has launched an investigation to determine if tourists visited Sri Lanka in the last 14 days from countries where the Omicron virus is prevalent.
State Minister Sudarshini Fernandopulle speaking in Parliament today said while arrivals from six countries were banned entry to Sri Lanka on the 28th of November, individuals who arrived in the island 14-days prior to the 28th from the six countries, will be looked into.
State Minister Fernandopulle said the World Health Organisation despite announcing the emergence of the new variant Omicron, is yet to determine the seriousness of its virulence.
She added the risk of deaths owing to the Omicron variant is also uncertain adding that to date the Delta variant remains the most prevalent variant at present.
The State Minister said according to reports, assumptions are that individuals who already tested positive for COVID can contract the virus once again adding that it is too early to determine the efficacy of vaccine doses against the Omicron variant.
She added the WHO is continuing investigations.
