The high risk period for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, March 25 to April 7 declared by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) can be longer than that due to the negligence of the public, GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said.
According to Dr. Aluthge, this duration can be longer than April 7 because the process of social distancing was not properly followed during the time periods of lifting the curfew. Many people did not maintain the minimum distance of one metre between two people when moving in public places, markets, shops, etc. This situation can lead to start community transmission of COVID-19.
The epidemic will come before the Sinhala and Hindu New Year and it is the responsibility of the people and the authorities to stop it before reaching stage 4 which is community transmission. The public must remain within their households except when essential to proceed outdoors (It is necessary for at least 80% of the total population to be indoors in their homes), he said.
A system must be put in place to enable those who are at home to obtain treatment if they were to fall ill and the public must be notified regarding this system, he added.
(Sunday Observer)