The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday urged the Government to further extend the current curfew in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
The JVP leader Anura Dissanayake in a statement said the purpose of the current curfew which is to ensure social distancing was somewhat eroded when the curfew was lifted for a few hours on Tuesday as people kept thronging food and medicine outlets to buy essentials without heeding the measures proposed by authorities when visiting such places.
“No one can say for sure how many are infected and how many will get the infection in the near future. So social distancing is essential to curb the virus spread”
To overcome the issue the JVP leader proposed a public and private partnership mechanism where food can be delivered to households in an efficient manner. He also said small food outlets in the villages should be given adequate essential food items on a basis where the payments could be made later.
He also said a mechanism should be formulated to provide essential food and medicine either free of charge or on a concessionary basis to families depending on informal modes of income.
“Authorities should also ensure the supply of food and other essentials to places such as elder, children’s care homes and other social welfare centres which are unable to get these items due to the current situation”
While noting that although there were a few delays at the outset Dissanayake said the government has now taken certain commendable decisions to mitigate the spread of the virus. Dissanayake said the public should support these endeavours fully.
Dissanayake went on to say that at this crucial hour government alone cannot overcome this crisis and it should have the support of all including political parties and the public.
“The public have to make sacrifices and show resilience in this hour of need. They cannot enjoy the normal life they had before. They should fully support the initiatives taken by authorities, ensure social distancing and help each other when possible”.
Dissanayake said the JVP through its volunteer cadres was already doing numerous services to help the affected public and also noted the party was prepared to fully support initiatives to overcome the current crisis.