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Mandatory vaccination cards postponed

03 Jan 2022

  • Health Minister pledges implementation within 2 weeks
  • Delay attributed to ‘technical issues’
By Buddhika Samaraweera Despite earlier statements by Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella and Minister of Tourism 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, the Ministry of Health has now decided to delay the implementation of the said decision, citing some “technical issues”. When contacted by The Morning yesterday (2), Rambukwella stated the Health Ministry has decided to delay making the possession of vaccination cards mandatory for the people when entering public places due to some “technical issues”. “There are a few technical issues that need to be addressed, especially things like the development of a mobile application and a QR (quick response) code. So we decided to delay this for another week or two. However, we will be able to implement the decision within the next two weeks,” he said. The Morning, on 23 December, reported that despite statements by Rambukwella and Ranatunga regarding the vaccination cards being made mandatory from 1 January 2022, even senior officials of the Health Ministry were not properly informed about its implementation. When contacted by The Morning to inquire about the preparations for the implementation of this programme at that time, 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. On 13 December, an extraordinary gazette notification made it mandatory for Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak) pilgrims to keep their Covid-19 vaccination card or a copy of the same during the pilgrimage. The gazette notification, which was issued by Ratnapura District Secretary Malani Lokupothagama, specified this and other regulations applicable during the Sri Pada pilgrimage season, which commenced on 18 December 2021 and ends on 16 May 2022. Speaking during the Gampaha District Covid-19 meeting on 19 December, Minister 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 the Health Ministry was taking necessary steps to implement the said decision. A few days later, Rambukwella officially 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 recent Twitter message.


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