Lockdown extension or removal depends on morbidity and mortality rates – Govt. Spokesman

BY CYRIL WIMALASURENDRE

KANDY – Information Minister and Government Media  Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella  said in Kandy on Saturday (05) that there was the possibility of the government having to extend lockdowns beyond June 14 depending on the Covid-19 morbidity and mortality rates.

Minister Rambukwella said it was up to the people to ensure that the pandemic did not spread so that the country could be reopened.

It was the health experts who would decide whether to lift the lockdowns, Minister Rambukwella said, in answer to media queries.

The Task Force for combating Covid-19 met twice a week and decisions were held on matters relating to counter the epidemic and the extent of relief granted to the people, the Minister said., adding that the government continued to pay the Rs, 5,000 each to low income families. The government had spent Rs. 286 million on projects like granting relief during the pandemic period. However it was unavoidable that there were some shortcomings, which the government would do everything in its power to rectify. Minister Rambukwella met journalists after attending a meeting at the secretariat of the Central Province Governor Lalith U. Gamage.