The Special Committee on COVID-19 Control decided to devise a comprehensive plan on the health recommendations and restrictions that need to be imposed on reopening the country with the lifting of the curfew.
The plan will be prepared by 3 relevant authorities covering three areas. Under the guidance of the Health Ministry and the health specialists committees, the Ministry of Public Administration will issue recommendations on how to maintain services in the public sector, the Ministry of Transport will issue recommendations with regard to public transport and the Ministry of Labor will issue recommendations on how to maintain services in the private sector.
These decisions were taken at the online meeting of the Special Committee on COVID-19 Control chaired by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa this morning (24).
Minister Rajapaksa said the fullest support of the public health inspectors, local political authorities, rural development committees and the media should be sought when implementing the plan.
Mr. Rajapaksa pointed out that all sectors should work together to continue the country’s economic process under the ‘new normal’ concept in the face of the Covid-19 challenge. He said that the economic growth rate which was maintained at 12.3% during the second quarter of 2021 fell down to 1% during the third quarter due to the lockdown imposed in the country and therefore, he explained the need to work towards the target of maintaining the country’s economic growth rate at 3% in the 4th quarter. He expressed optimism that this would help maintain the country’s overall annual economic growth rate at 5% this year.
