Medical associations push for 2-week lockdown; cite 7 reasons travel restrictions are ineffective

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), along with the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), Association of Medical Specialists (AMS), and Sri Lanka Medical Intercollegiate Committee (SMIC) yesterday demanded that the Government impose a two-week lockdown or curfew, citing seven reasons why the current travel restrictions are not effective against the spread of COVID-19.

According to a statement issued by the SLMA, the call for a 14-day lockdown or curfew was due to the fact that the period would cover two cycles of incubation periods of the infection. This is likely to be adequate to break the chain of uncontrolled spread.

Travel restrictions enforced in the country are typically for a few days at a stretch, with travel restrictions enforced last night due to be lifted on Tuesday. 

“Country-wide lockdown for just a few days at a stretch will not have any significant effect on the caseload or transmission of the disease as it does not cover even one incubation period to reduce infectivity and transmission of the infection,” the statement issued by the SLMA reads.

In addition to this, repeated, intermittent and short lockdowns where people are still permitted to go to work usually in enclosed areas could lead to an increase in COVID-19 infections within the premises and not have any economic benefits.

At a press briefing held yesterday, SLMA President Dr. Padma Gunaratne used the apparel industry as an example, saying that despite efforts by the companies to continue operations, COVID-19 spread was noted in manufacturing plants.

Addressing current travel restrictions, where persons are permitted to go out according to the last digit of their NIC, the SLMA said it was unlikely to serve any purpose at this stage.

“Allowing public transport with seated passengers and 25% capacity of customers in supermarkets, restaurants (dining in), hotels, rest houses, shopping malls, shops, etc., will increase the number of cases at this stage of spread of infection in the community,” the SLMA stated.

With regard to inter-provincial travel restrictions, the SLMA argued that infection was rampant in all provinces, making inter-provincial travel restrictions useless.

The isolation of Grama Niladhari divisions may also prove to be ineffective as isolation is imposed five to seven days after the detection of patients. Thus, by the time isolation is enforced, the infection is likely to have spread beyond the Grama Niladhari division.

Considering these factors, the SLMA suggested that a complete lockdown or curfew for 14 days would have a larger impact on the economy as well as the health sector and added that the public should be informed in advance of a lockdown so they could attend to their essential needs.

“No foreign tourist will travel to a country like this, and we also cannot travel out of the country. Considering this, we believe the 14 days will impact the economy in a positive manner in the long run rather than in a negative manner,” Dr. Gunaratne said.

In addition to a 14-day lockdown aiding in the control of the spread of COVID-19, it could also give the health sector time to improve services.

“Hospitals should also make use of the interval to streamline and upgrade the services to be made available to patients, including special care and intensive care facilities and optimal supplies of oxygen,” the SLMA stated, adding that at the end of the two-week period, the Government could continue the restrictions in place at present.

GMOA Vice President Dr. Chandika Epitakaduwa explained that this would apply to homecare for asymptomatic patients and those with mild symptoms.

“A pilot project was to begin in the Kalutara District [yesterday] with 40 doctors and a number of consultant community physicians volunteering to support this initiative. A call centre is to be established so patients can inquire about their symptoms,” Dr. Epitakaduwa said.

He explained that the pilot project could be carried out for a few days before the program was launched across the island.

The GMOA Vice President also raised questions about the country’s COVID-19 vaccination program. “At present, 6.5% of the population has been vaccinated but the vaccinated individuals belong to various categories. As a result of this, groups who must be vaccinated have been left out, which is the reason for the problematic situation in society today,” he said, asking that future stocks of vaccines be distributed according to a priority list.

Questions were also raised about the decisions taken by the Government thus far to control the COVID-19 situation in the country. While explaining that the Government had paid heed to recommendations from the health sector, Dr. Gunaratne said the availability of persons with scientific knowledge when making decisions would make a huge difference in the management of the outbreak.

“Whatever the activity is, if you are interested in reaching an objective, knowledge matters,” she said, adding, “If we make a team of people with the knowledge and make a decision and give it to the Government for implementation, and the Government is ready to heed, I think that would make a difference for our future activities.”