While health experts have warned of an increase in Covid-19 cases, Sri Lankans have been warned not to spit in public places because they will face harsh legal action.
SSP Roshan Rajapaksa, Director, Police Environment Division, stated that in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, law enforcement agencies have been advised to take stern action against those who violate the law.
Meanwhile, as the Covid-19 pandemic approaches the holiday season, Public Health Inspectors (PHI) have stated that those who violate the law, including consumers, public vendors, and public transportation providers, will face legal action.
According to Upul Rohana, President of the Public Health Inspectors Union (PHIU), “the regional Public Health Inspectors have been advised to take legal actions against the violators of health guidelines”.
He warned that legal action would be taken against large crowds of consumers as well as vendors who violated health regulations.
Sri Lanka lifted nearly six-month-long travel restrictions on November 1st, allowing the operation of public transportation but directing that passengers be strictly limited to the seating capacity.
According to the PHIs, despite the fact that the new Covid-19 variant Omicron posed a threat to the world, Sri Lankans took the situation for granted. On Friday (Dec 3), Sri Lanka discovered its first Omicron-infected Covid patient, a Nigerian traveller.
By Wednesday night, the island country had reported 28 deaths and 757 new infections in a 24-hour period, bringing the total number of fatalities to 14,533.