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Police support to be obtained to check vaccination status

06 Feb 2022

 
  • Security officials at entrance to check proof of vaccination
  • Police to assist where such officials are not available
  By Buddhika Samaraweera The health authorities are planning to implement the extraordinary gazette preventing unvaccinated people from entering or being in public places with effect from 30 April with the support of the Police and security officials of such places, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH) Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella issued an extraordinary gazette preventing those who have not obtained first, second, and third doses of the Covid-19 vaccines from entering or being in public places with effect from 30 April. When contacted by The Morning yesterday (6) to query who will be monitoring if those entering public places have obtained all three doses of the Covid-19 vaccines, MOH Medical Technology Services Director and Co-ordinator in Charge of Covid Operations Dr. Anver Hamdani said that it would be monitored by the Police and security officials at the respective premises. “We can’t have police officers at all the places to check if the people have obtained the vaccines. If it is a premise such as a bus stand, the police officers will be checking if the people have obtained the vaccines. However, at places such as shopping malls, the security officers there should check if those entering their premises have been vaccinated.” He further said that the public and private sector institutions will be given necessary instructions in this regard in the future. When asked as to what action would be taken regarding those who cannot obtain the vaccines for health reasons, Dr. Hamdani said that such individuals would be given a separate recognition. Further noting that the vaccination cards would be considered as the proof when this decision is being implemented, he said that the introduction of digitalised proof is also being considered. However, he said that introduction of such a system may take a bit more time as there is a technical process to be followed. He also said that what the health authorities consider as a fully vaccinated person is one that has obtained the first, second, and third booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccines. “According to this gazette notification issue, those who have not been fully vaccinated will not be allowed to enter public places. What we define as full vaccination is that one has obtained all three doses of the Covid-19 vaccines, including the booster dose,” he said. “There are no concrete decisions made yet. We have to implement this and see,” Dr. Hamdani added.  The relevant gazette issued by the Health Minister noted: “A person shall not enter any public place without having the proof of being fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) unless exempted by the proper authority in respect of the whole of Sri Lanka.” “For the purposes of this regulation ‘fully vaccinated’ means that the relevant person has obtained the required doses of the relevant vaccination as specified by the Director General of Health Services,” he added.  


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