Comprehensive plan to be prepared for reopening

The task force of COVID-19 yesterday decided to formulate a comprehensive plan for lifting the lockdown. The decision was taken yesterday in a meeting led by Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

The Ministry of Public Administration and Management will issue guidelines on operating the state sector post lockdown. The Ministry of Transport will handle how the public transport sector would operate, while the Ministry of labour will issue guidelines to the public sector.

The three ministries will be guided by the Health Ministry and a committee of medical experts.

Rajapksa said that the economic grew at 12.3% in the second quarter of 2021 and that it fell to 1% during the third, due to the lockdown. There should be a proper plan to ensure that 3% growth in the fourth quarter, Rajapaksa said.

There was an in-depth discussion on reopening schools and the recommendations taken at the meeting had been sent to the Ministry of Education. Rajapaksa directed officials to communicate the recommendations to the governors and regional directors of health. It was decided that there was no need to keep schools closed until vaccinating children is complete.

The Task Force discussed the importance of using Ayurvedic Hospitals for COVID treatment. Ayurvedic treatment can be promoted among tourists because there is a demand for indigenous medicine.