The COVID-19 booster dose will be included in the vaccination requirements to enter public places, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday.

According to the Minister, the booster dose will be required when entering public places once vaccination regulations are introduced. The booster dose will be included in the QR code and mobile application the Health Ministry plans on introducing for this purpose.

At present, 28.9% of the population over 20 years has received the booster dose and vaccination coverage is expected to increase significantly by the end of the month.

Steps will be taken at a local government level to fast-track the COVID-19 booster program, the Health Ministry added.

According to Rambukwella, vaccination centres will be established at all local government institutions and measures will be taken to administer the booster dose through regional MOH offices. Several vaccination centres will be added on a divisional level as well.

These measures will be taken in order to complete vaccination of the target group in the coming weeks.

According to Rambukwella, 29 January will mark a year since Sri Lanka commenced its COVID-19 immunisation program and 45 million vaccine doses have reached the island within this period.

• 588 persons test positive for COVID-19

• 16 COVID-19 fatalities confirmed