Daily expenditure for PCR tests exceeds Rs. 60 million, says President

"COVID pandemic is a “health” issue. The responsibility of protecting people against the virus and steering the country forward lies with the health sector and the Government," said the President during the daily discussion with the members of the Task Force on COVID Prevention held at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (9).

The President said authorities have 3 options in the face of the spread of the pandemic.

• The first is to lock down the entire country by imposing a curfew.

• The second is not to do anything.

• The Third is to carry out normal activities while controlling the disease.

The President said the authorities opted for the third option.

Following the successful containment of the virus before, the media as well as the people have forgotten everything and shirked responsibility, said the President adding the result is the current situation which is the second wave.

"The country cannot remain closed until the pandemic is wiped out from the world. We have to understand the ground reality and act accordingly," said the President.

It is the government's responsibility to keep the economy going while ensuring all the activities including employment, agriculture, and fishing move forward, he added.

The President said it is a "personal responsibility‟ of the people to comprehend this situation and avoid falling prey to the disease.

The daily expenditure by the Government to conduct PCR tests exceeds Rs. 60 million and a huge sum of money is spent daily on the entire process including quarantine, highlighted the President.