The Government is alert and there is no need to panic over a third wave of COVID 19 pandemic, Co-cabinet Spokesman Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana yesterday said.
He said that the Government with the assistance of the Health Sector, Tri-Forces and relevant other authorities had done everything to handle the COVID 19 situation.
The Minister told that certain people acted irresponsibly during the New Year season without following guidelines issued by the Health Ministry.
“The Government is fully conscious about everything and there is no reason to panic.” he said.
The Health Ministry has warned of a possible surge in COVID-19 cases in the coming weeks with 52 new cases detected in two retail stores at Pamunuwa and at a State bank in Colombo at the end of the New Year holidays.
Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said on Monday that there is a possibility of increasing the number of COVID 19 cases over the next four to six weeks with the irresponsible behaviour of the public during the New Year.
“We saw that some people failed to follow COVID-19 guidelines during the holidays, so there is a possibility that cases will rise,” he said.
He urged the public to maintain physical distancing.
Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) have also warned of a surge in COVID cases in coming weeks.
