AG’s nod given for making vaccination card mandatory for entering public places

By Saman Indrajith

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told Parliament yesterday that the Attorney General had approved a government decision to make the vaccination card mandatory for entering public places.

Rambukwella said the AG had informed him that there was no legal barrier to the government move.

“Last week I asked the Attorney General if there was a legal provision for preventing people who did not get both vaccines from entering public places. Now I have received his approval that it can be done legally. A number of developed countries have done that. I hope the Ministry of Health will create an app that can detect those who have obtained both vaccines so that those who have not taken it can be banned from going to public places. Some people may challenge our decision in courts, but we will have to do what is necessary to ensure the safety of the public.

The Minister said that once the new law was enacted, those who were not fully vaccinated would not be allowed to enter public places.

He said that so far Sri Lanka had vaccinated over 70% of its population thanks to the commitment of the President, who ensured the procurement of the vaccines on time despite much criticism. He said orders had been placed for 14.2 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine and currently there was a stock of around 2.2 million.