The Island/ANN - The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA), yesterday, recommended that the government stop the practice of temporarily lifting curfew, in certain districts, as the number of Covid-19 patients rose to 132 by 4.15 pm. The number was 122 on Monday night.

GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge told The Island that Sri Lanka might reach community transmission stage soon unless stringent action was taken.

"We must ensure that at least 80% of Sri Lankans are observe physical distancing. However, this does not happen when curfew is lifted. So lots of areas where the government temporarily lifts curfew become vulnerable. Even in areas that are under continuous curfew, physical distancing is as low as 70%."

Dr. Aluthge insisted that the public should stay at home as much as possible and that systems should be created so that people can purchase food, medicines and conduct bank transactions from their homes.

 "The lifting of curfew from time to time is bad and the government will have to take stern measures about hot spots, like Dambulla Economic Centre, fisheries harbours, like Thudawella, Tangalle and Lellama, Negombo, commercial centres, like the Manning Market, and tea factories."

The GMOA official warned that the time had come for the Health Ministry to review its directives on masks as wearing them was vital to prevent COVID-19 reaching level 03 or level 04 (epidemic) in the country.

"If people use facemasks properly that can minimise the spread of the disease. We have told the relevant authorities that a technical committee, under the leadership of the Director General of Health must be convened."

Meanwhile, issuing a press release yesterday the GMOA said Sri Lanka must immediately establish specialised hospitals to treat Covid-19 cases. Although there are several hospitals established by the government, their capacity is not at all adequate, it says. The GMOA has recommended that the Kotalawala Defence Academy hospital as a suitable place.

Commenting on the fact that some staff attached to Negombo, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kalubowila, Ragama and De Soysa hospitals are now undergoing quarantine because they were exposed to Covid-19 patients, who had hidden their symptoms, the GMOA states that this will affect the entire health system. Therefore it is vital that personal protection equipment is provided to hospital staff.