For many of us born after the Second World War, the COVID-19 pandemic is the first crisis that impacted on a global scale. While many countries have suffered from natural disasters and war, this is the first time that every country on the planet is suffering from the same cause at the same time.
As countries grapple to bring their patient count down, Sri Lanka is staying strong and taking strong measures to eradicate the novel corona virus from our beautiful isle. Hopefully, it won’t be long before we are able to enjoy our pristine beaches, tropical jungles and cool misty mountains again.
Warp Speed Timeline
One of the most impressive things about Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic is how quickly the authorities acted. The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health confirmed the 1st COVID-19 patient (a Chinese national) on the 27th January 2020 yet by the 26th of Jan — the preceding day — the Health Ministry had already established a National Action Committee to make decisions regarding the coronavirus outbreak. Even prior to any patients being discovered, the quarantine team at the Bandaranaike International Airport was using thermal scanners to screen for and quarantine inbound passengers. By 19th February, the first patient would recover and be back on her way home.
The 2nd wave began on the 11th March 2020 when the 1st local patient was admitted to hospital. The speed with which the country leaped into action is spectacular: the army was mobilized on the same day to run quarantine centres, build new ones and help public health inspectors to begin sanitizing public areas, a measure that is ongoing. Schools were declared closed on the 12th; on arrival visas were also suspended on the 12th; film screenings and other large gatherings were banned by the 15th; Monday 16th March was declared a National holiday to limit mass movement and then extended under a ‘work from home’ directive till Friday 20th; on the 17th of March, the President ordered a National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak which continue to coordinate the national health effort. Finally, on the 20th March, a nation-wide curfew was announced with the restrictions being lifted periodically every few days to allow citizens to purchase essential items. It has allowed Sri Lanka’s fatality rate to be well below the global average and the recovery rate, well above.
Taking Care of Tourism
The Sri Lanka travel and tourism industry contributes significantly to its economy and was the hardest hit by the health measures placed by the authorities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has worked closely with the authorities to ensure that foreign nationals already within the country were allowed to leave as soon as they wished. The Tourism Authority announced that visas would be extended by 30 days on the 18th March, even before the curfew was announced on the 20th, and it has been further extended till 12th May 2020 automatically, since the 5000+ foreign tourists now stuck in the country cannot attend to the matter in person.
Hotels also acted very responsibly in the face of the virus outbreak. Properties such as Santani Resort and Spa closed down operations in late March when it was advisable to do so while other such as the Citrus Hotel in Wadduwa actually offered their empty properties as quarantine centres.
Transparency of Information
Perhaps the strongest measure that Sri Lanka is following is its transparency regarding the health measures. The Health Promotion Bureau has launched a website that collates all information regarding the coronavirus and updates it regularly. The action committee of the COVID-19 National Operation Centre holds a daily press conference to release information regarding daily statistics and other relevant information. Media outlets are also doing a commendable job in rooting out inefficiency or corruption and shining a strong light on it. Citizens are also taking it upon themselves to remain vigilant and report those who are known to have travelled abroad but haven’t informed the authorities of it.
Other welfare measures such as delaying loan repayment; allowing supermarkets, restaurants and pharmacies to conduct deliveries; giving an interim payment to disadvantaged families and individuals and bringing pension payments to the pensioners’ doors have helped the ease the impact of the strong measures taken by Sri Lanka to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the end, Sri Lanka is working as one to ensure that our little island comes out at the other end still fighting, still fierce and still ready to be the best it can.
