By Rathindra Kuruwita

Public Health Inspectors yesterday warned that the latest Gazette, issued by the Minister of Health, making it mandatory to obtain prior approval of the Director General of Health Services for gatherings, activities, events or similar places of meetings, might further reduce the public support extended for COVID control to PHIs and Policemen.

On Thursday, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella issued the aforementioned Gazette. The Gazette says that ‘the guidelines, circulars, directions, instructions or terms and conditions issued, given by the Director General of Health Services, supersede the guidelines, circulars, directions, instructions or terms and conditions issued, given or specified by other authorities. The regulation has been made by the Health Minister under sections 2 and 3 of the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance.’

Public Health Inspectors’ Union (PHIU) Head, Upul Rohana said that there were a lot of protests against the government and all those demonstrations were a violation of the Gazette.

“This is similar to the Gazette issued by the previous Health Minister, Pavithra Wanniarachchi. The problem is how people will react. We think it is better to try to convince people of the need to abide by health guidelines. Unions and Opposition parties think the move is aimed at suppressing them.

Will they adhere to the latest Gazette or will they increase their resistance? I feel that this would only cause further friction between the people and PHIs and Policemen, who will be entrusted with taking action,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister Rambukwella has insisted that the move is not politically motivated and the government is only trying to protect the public. He has said that large protests are taking place across the country and pose threats to public health.

“We have controlled the spread of COVID-19 by making great sacrifices. However, again thousands of protesters are on the road every day. Are they doing this to create super-spreader events? We have to do something about them. This is why the Gazette was issued. I don’t care what the unions and Opposition political parties think. They can do whatever they want. I admit that unions have a right to dissent but this is a matter of public safety,” the Minister said.