LNP – No guarantee of new Covid variant entering SL, says SLMA

The entry of the newly detected COVID-19 variant, Omicron could be inevitable, Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) said today.

SLMA President Dr. Padma Gunaratne said the authorities should take all precautionary measures as they had already taken, to ensure the new variant does not enter the country.

“We are of the viewpoint that though the entry of the new variant could be delayed, there is no guarantee that it would never enter the country,” she highlighted.

However, Dr. Gunaratne stressed the significance of strictly adhering to health rules and to get vaccinated on right time.

Meanwhile, Public Health Inspectors’ Union Head Upul Rohana said there are many loopholes through which the new variant could enter the country.

“The system at the airport is so fragile, tourists could evade health officials upon arrival. Thus, the authorities should pay a special attention to this and ensure that every means of evasion is prevented,” he stressed.