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On-arrival PCRs for all only if Committee recommends

13 Dec 2021

BY Buddhika Samaraweera In response to requests made by certain parties to conduct on-arrival PCR tests on all those entering the country from abroad, the Health Ministry said that it can only be implemented if the Advisory Committee on Covid-19 makes a recommendation to the effect. The College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) on Sunday (12) pointed out that instead of imposing restrictions on people coming to Sri Lanka from specific countries, the authorities should instead take steps to conduct on-arrival PCR tests on all those entering the country from abroad. When contacted by The Morning to inquire whether such requests would be considered by the Health Ministry, Health Ministry Communications Director, Public Health Services Deputy Director General, and Disaster Preparedness and Response Division Head Dr. Hemantha Herath said that all measures taken so far in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic have been taken upon expert advice. “The conduct of on-arrival PCR tests on everyone entering the country can only be implemented if an expert recommendation is made in that regard. There is an Advisory Committee comprising experts which makes recommendations on the actions to be taken in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. If they recommend an on-arrival PCR test on everyone entering the country, we will definitely do it, but it is not practical to implement all the proposals made by various parties,” he explained. Dr. Herath further noted: “There are so many ideas. Even we feel that this and that should be done, but without getting a proper endorsement, we are not in a position to implement them because ultimately, all these programmes cost the public money. Therefore, we should be careful in implementing these.” Speaking to The Morning on Sunday, CMLS President Ravi Kumudesh said that if every person arriving in the country through the airports is subjected to an on-arrival PCR test, regardless of whether they have 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 airports, especially those who have received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccines, are not undergoing PCR tests, according to the existing health guidelines. Therefore, the health guidelines should be revised so that all those who enter the country can be tested,” Kumudesh said. He added that the medical laboratory professionals are in a position to conduct PCR tests on everyone entering the country and release the test reports within two hours if the authorities take the necessary steps in this regard.


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