Sri Lanka risks resurgence of COVID-19 by neglecting health directives - health chief

COLOMBO (News1st) : Sri Lanka's health chief has urged the people to abide by health directives to prevent a possible second wave of COVID-19 infections in the country. "We can observe that the people, institutions, or individuals who hold power have not paid much attention to these guidelines," director general of health services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said. He warned that coronavirus infections can rise if health directives are ignored although patients are not being detected within the community at present. "Our main target is to prevent the transmission of the virus within the community along with the reopening of airports," Dr. Jasinghe noted. Sri Lanka is mulling the reopening of airports from August, as it seeks to offer hope to the downtrodden tourist industry in the country. The health chief pointed out that the country will have not adopt new measures to thwart the spread of the virus, as foreign tourists will not be willing to undergo quarantine. "We will re-open the doors to our country in a cautious manner. Therefore, the responsibility of curbing the threat lies on the society as a whole," Dr. Jasinghe emphasised.