COVID-19 in the New Year

In Sri Lanka it is common to see political campaigning even before the announcement of an election. Over the last few weeks there has been a renewed push to increase the visibility of the Government’s work, especially in rural areas where the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) holds its core vote base. But given Sri Lanka is still living in the COVID-19 era, even disguised campaigning can be dangerous. 

Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekera became the first high-profile casualty when he tested positive last week. Then, just two days later, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Rauf Hakeem tested positive resulting in at least 15 parliamentarians being advised to self-quarantine. They were subjected to PCR tests on Monday and several Parliament staff are expected to follow suit, but this underscores the vulnerability people of all walks of life have to the virus.

Despite numerous jokes doing the rounds on social media over MPs getting infected, the larger issue is whether covert political campaigning and grassroots organising by political parties could increase the possibility of the virus spreading faster. As the weeks tick down to an election, these gatherings could create more opportunities for COVID-19 to move into communities. 

Last year the Government sidestepped the issue of COVID-19 controls by delaying the release of health guidelines but managed to avoid any serious fallout because the number of virus carriers seemed to be smaller. However, several months later Sri Lanka is battling a second wave and is also preparing to reopen borders in less than a fortnight. The emergence of new virus variants is also a cause for concern, especially given there has been little specific information given on when a vaccine may arrive in Sri Lanka.   

In such a background it is essential that authorities pay attention to strict implementation of social distancing and other health guidelines and ensure that the Provincial Council Elections do not become a catalyst for a super spreader event. The virus has already made serious inroads in the Western Province, which remains the most economically important and Sri Lanka’s overall wellbeing is dependent on the authorities managing to keep a check on infection rates. 

According to the latest updates, Sri Lankan health officials are still weighing their options with a discussion recently being held to gather information on the Sputnik V vaccine being produced by Russia. However, so far officials have only indicated that vaccinations of high risk individuals could begin sometime in the first half, very likely utilising the vaccines to be made available by the World Health Organisation (WHO). But these will only cover 20% of Sri Lanka’s population with WHO recommendations indicating that 60% of the country would need to be inoculated to reach herd immunity. 

So not only will Sri Lanka have to weigh its options, it may also have to work hard to move ahead in the long line of countries awaiting vaccines. It is therefore critical that the Sri Lankan Government continue to enforce social distancing and other COVID-19 guidelines, particularly given the reopening of borders and when the decision to procure vaccinations is made that it be done in a transparency and inclusive manner.