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Health Ministry officials in the dark about mandatory vaccine card plan

23 Dec 2021

  • Official warns about failure if issues not fully resolved 
  • Health Minister announced vaccine cards mandatory on Twitter
  BY Buddhika Samaraweera Despite statements by Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga to the effect that it will be made mandatory for the people to have Covid-19 vaccination cards in possession when entering public places from 1 January 2022, even senior officials of the Health Ministry are not properly informed about its implementation, The Morning learnt. Recently, Rambukwella and Ranatunga stated that it will be mandatory to carry the Covid-19 vaccination card when entering public places from 1 January 2022. However, when contacted by The Morning to inquire about the preparations for the implementation of this programme, a senior official of the Health Ministry said: “Nothing has been done about it yet. Although several statements have been made in this regard, even we were not informed.” The official also said that it would not be effective without the maximum possible resolution of the issues that may arise in making it mandatory to keep the vaccination card in possession when entering public places, and added that if it is implemented some day, it will be done in a way that solves all the problems that may arise through it, to the maximum extent possible. Meanwhile, when questioned whether a card would be issued to people who are unable to get vaccinated due to various medical conditions, the Health Ministry official said that such matters are currently being studied. Rambukwella announced that the Government has made the Covid-19 vaccination card mandatory to visit public places from 1 January 2022.  “Beginning 1 January 2022, the Covid-19 vaccination cards will be made mandatory to access public spaces. If you haven’t already received it, I urge you to get vaccinated,” he stated in a Twitter message. Furthermore, speaking during the Gampaha District Covid-19 meeting on Sunday (19), Ranatunga said that the Government has decided to make the Covid-19 vaccination cards mandatory when entering public places from 1 January 2022. He also said that the Health Ministry was taking necessary steps to implement the said decision.


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