Decision to lift mandatory mask wearing, to be reviewed

Minister of Health Prof. Channa Jayasumana today (20) informed Parliament that the decision to lift the mandatory regulation of wearing face masks in public places was reached by the COVID-19 technical committee of the Ministry of Health that comprises of 15 experts.

However, Minister Jayasumana said he instructed the Director General of Health Services to reconsider the decision and inform whether the regulation should continue.

The Minister claimed the regulation of wearing a face mask outdoors has been lifted while masks must be worn when indoors and in public places.

Minister Jayasumana said this was not a political decision and was not reached by him personally, adding the announcement coincided with the date that he assumed duties as the Health Minister.

The Minister claimed the technical committee reached the decision to lift the mandatory requirement of a face mask on the 3rd of April considering the status of COVID-19 in the country, vaccinations, and other factors.

He said the committee recommended that the decision be enforced after the New Year, and accordingly the decision was announced on the 19th of April.

However, Minister Jayasumana said there have been many opinions after the decision that the mandatory requirement of wearing face masks should continue to be in place especially with the on-going protests that could lead to an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Therefore, the Health Minister said the technical committee will review the decision and determine if wearing face masks should continue to remain in place.