The Government is considering imposing certain restrictions on unvaccinated individuals in Sri Lanka in the future, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.
He told reporters yesterday that the move is being considered in a bid to safeguard those vaccinated against COVID-19 in the country.
The restrictions may include unvaccinated people being prevented from entering public places. Certain European countries have already introduced coercive measures against unvaccinated people, similar to this, he pointed out.
Stating that the Government cannot let anyone put someone in danger by not taking the COVID vaccine, he said the authorities may be compelled to implement certain restrictions against unvaccinated people in the future.
Earlier, the Government had decided to make vaccination cards mandatory to visit public places from September 15, 2021.
It was also announced that people above the age of 30 should carry their vaccination cards when visiting public places during this period.
However, this was not implemented as the Government had not completed its vaccination drive as expected due to the delay in receiving adequate vaccines.
Commenting on the administration of the booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Health Minister said that the programme will be launched from 1st November 2021.
He further said that the Ministry of Health is in possession of a stock of two million COVID-19 vaccine doses and this will be administered to frontline health workers.
Minister Rambukwella said orders have been placed for another 14.5 million vaccine doses in order to complete the booster shots.
He added that the stocks of vaccine doses will arrive in the country in a systematic manner. (NewsWire)