Steps taken to face Omicron, says Namal; Sajith propose for PCR on all passengers

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa told the Parliament on Monday (29) that the Government has taken all necessary measures to prevent the new COVID-19 variant 'Omicron' from entering the country.

"The health sector was mobilized and the necessary decisions were taken three days ago," he told Parliament in response to concerns raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

He told Parliament that health guidelines were strictly followed in all the airports and that even the health history of the passengers was checked at the airport.

Minister Rajapaksa said travel restrictions have already been imposed on passengers from six countries entering Sri Lanka as a precautionary measure.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said the new variant has been named by the WHO as a variant of concern and that the health authorities had pointed out that strict measures should be taken to face it.

"Health experts have pointed out that there is a possibility of this variant entering into the country," he warned adding that the new variant could pose a risk to the senior citizens and people with diseases.

He proposed that government follow the proposal put forward by the health sector to subject every single passenger to a PCR test, irrespective of their vaccination status.