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Kumudesh urges PCR testing for all arrivals

13 Dec 2021

By Buddhika Samaraweera In the face of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, mainly the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant (B.1.1.529), the College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) has pointed out that instead of imposing restrictions on people coming to Sri Lanka from specific countries, authorities should instead take steps to conduct on-arrival polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests on all those entering the country from abroad.  In view of the Omicron variant, the Sri Lankan authorities recently banned the arrival of foreign travellers who have been to six countries in the African continent, including South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, and Eswatini (Swaziland), and the said ban was lifted on Friday (10).   Accordingly, speaking to The Morning, CMLS President Ravi Kumudesh said that given the fact that the Omicron variant had been reported in many countries at present, there is no point in imposing restrictions only on people arriving from the six countries where the Omicron variant was initially detected.  However, he said, if every person arriving in the country through the airport is subjected to an on-arrival PCR test regardless of whether they had been vaccinated against Covid-19 or not, it would be possible to easily detect new variants.  “Currently, about 99% of those entering the country through the airport, especially those who have received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccines, are not undergoing PCR tests, according to existing health guidelines. Therefore, the health guidelines should be revised so that all those who enter the country can be tested,” Kumudesh said.  He said that the medical laboratory professionals are in a capacity to conduct PCR tests on everyone entering the country and release the test reports just within two hours if the authorities are taking necessary steps. Taking into account the possibility of the Omicron variant entering the country, the Sri Lankan authorities, late last month, banned the arrival of foreign travellers who have been to six countries in the African Continent, including South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, and Eswatini (Swaziland), within the past 14 days. The travel restrictions imposed on those arriving from six African countries were lifted on Friday.  Meanwhile, commenting to the media on the lifting of the said restrictions, Colombo South Teaching Hospital Kalubowila Deputy Director Dr. Rukshan Bellana has stated that although there is no issue in lifting the restriction, the airport screening procedures should be followed in a more organised manner. Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena and Health Ministry Communication Director Dr. Hemantha Herath were unavailable for comment on the matter.


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