Dr. Padma Gunarathana, President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, says that it is the responsibility of the people to prevent another wave of Covid 19 after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
She points out that the Covid epidemic was under control in many parts of the world, but there is a risk of it re-emerging.
Therefore, it is essential that people follow the health advice they need to follow during the New Year season so that there is no risk of covid in Sri Lanka again, she said.
She emphasizes that there is no hindrance to the cultural activities that take place in the homes during the New Year season, but it is imperative to follow the instructions given during the New Year games, hygiene practices including keeping distance and wearing masks.
She also said that it is very important to avoid getting together during this time of the year and not to exchange food between houses.
The doctor emphasized that public transportation should be used with extreme caution when shopping and that if the health advice is ignored at this moment, the spread of the disease will increase and the number of patients with complications will not be able to cope with our health system.
Pointing out that this is a preventable disease, she says that China controlled it because it followed the health instructions exactly. “It is important to get the vaccine, and the use of the first vaccine, AstraZeneca, has been successful and there is no question about it,” she said.