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PHIs to keep away from polls duty
Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) have decided to keep away from election duties, demanding that gazette notifications are issued empowering them to carry out their duties during the COVID19 pandemic.
The decision was taken after a meeting between the Public Health Inspectors Union and Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi broke down on Wednesday without a decision on implementing their call for legal powers to act during elections.
The Health Ministry has turned down a demand to immediately issue gazette notifications giving legal effect to Health Services Director General’s guidelines, including those on conducting elections.
The Ministry held that more powers to PHIs could not be immediately given under the Quarantine and Diseases Prevention Ordinance as it was awaiting the Attorney General’s (AG)’s recommendations.
“Once the Attorney General’s opinion is obtained, Cabinet approval is needed prior to forwarding the regulations to Parliament. Only then can the Health Ministry gazette health guidelines issued by the Health Services Director General and give powers to PHIs,” a Health Ministry spokesman said.
The PHIs have threatened to stay away from election duties on the grounds they do not have powers under the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance to take action against those violating health guidelines during election rallies or polling stations or the ability to order a 14-day quarantine for those who may pose a risk.
“During the past three months, PHIs worked tirelessly, but they were not protected by any law. Many people believed that we had legal powers to order them to be quarantined, and adhered to our advice,” Public Health Inspectors Union Secretary M. Balasooriya told the Sunday Times.
“After the Human Rights Commission recommendations that there is a possibility of violation of rights such as freedom of movement, our officers will be taken to courts if a rights case is filed,” he said.
He said the minister was reluctant to make legal changes to the Quarantine Ordinance giving powers to the PHIs and did not give an assurance that the PHIs would be given powers to take action against those violating social distancing rules or ignoring safety precautions.
“This will be a difficult task during election rallies and campaigns. What is the use of us being deployed if we don’t have powers?” he questioned.
He said if a person refused to be quarantined, the PHIs did not have any legal power to take action against him.
“More people will be coming from overseas with some COVID positive. We have to make sure they are further self-quarantined for two weeks after recovery. Similarly those exposed should also be quarantined. The area PHIs should make sure that such people do not go around visiting. But if the people refuse or file a case stating their freedom of movement is violated, our officers will be taken to courts,” he said.
The moves came as the Election Commission was preparing to deploy a team in every polling booth to ensure that necessary health precautions are taken during the election process.
The active participation of PHIs was required for the process and their services were obtained to conduct mock elections.
At present, there are about 2,650 PHIs in the country. Under the “Health guidelines for conducting the Elections amidst the COVID 19 outbreak”, PHIs are assigned to supervise all election booths prior to and on the election day. They will also carry out and organize disinfection activities and will be assigned with other election related duties by the Medical Officer of Health.