Increase precautions

As COVID-19 numbers continue to climb, the Government yesterday ordered restriction of movement in Rajanganaya, highlighting the need for the public to remain unceasingly vigilant. The challenge of keeping COVID-19 from spreading within the community is essential and the Government has to take every step possible to proactively reduce infections.   

Global coronavirus infections passed 13 million yesterday, according to a Reuters tally, marking another milestone in the spread of the disease which has killed more than half a million people in seven months.

The first case was reported in China in early January and it took three months to reach one million cases. It has taken just five days to climb to 13 million cases from 12 million recorded on 8 July.

The number of cases is around triple that of severe influenza illnesses recorded annually, according to the World Health Organization. There have been more than 568,500 deaths linked to the coronavirus so far, within the same range as the number of yearly influenza deaths reported worldwide. 

The sheer scale of the disruption that another wave of COVID-19 could have on the social, political and economic fabric of Sri Lanka can hardly be overstated. The Government has been rightly applauded by all stakeholders for its response in containing the first wave swiftly and all citizens sacrificed during the curfew to combat the outbreak. 

Those efforts should not be in vain. It is essential that the Government steps up again to reinstate, as much as practically possible, social distancing measures, including encouraging companies to promote work from home options, and ensure the public is reminded of the dangers the country is facing.  

The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) last week faulted the Government for relaxing social distancing measures too soon including allowing public gatherings, uncontrolled public transport, and widespread opening of recreational activities. It also observed that while movement is necessary, especially for economic activity, it also had the unintended consequence of people becoming very cavalier about maintaining physical distancing, wearing masks and washing hands. 

Therefore it is now essential to encourage the public to take COVID-19 seriously again. Over the last few weekends many people have gone on vacation, and public places including religious spaces have become crowded to capacity. This is a worrying development and the Government will have to decide how to limit inter-district travel, unless it is for something important such as work, education or health-related matters. 

It is essential at this point that the Government maintains transparency and health officials are allowed to convey the true situation to the public. The media should be given the opportunity to have access to ask questions from the top-most health officials and the Health Ministry so that free-flow of accurate information is consistent. 

This is especially important since Sri Lanka is in the middle of an election campaign, which could increase in intensity in the coming days. Schools are also set to reopen fully later this month as well. 

It is also imperative that the Health Ministry gazette the COVID-19 guidelines immediately so that Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) can enforce them. Cancelling rallies is not sufficient in this instance to show concern for COVID-19 and it comes across as a self-serving ploy to protect key politicians who are on the wrong side of 65 years. The entire country has to pull together at this point.