All persons above 18 to be vaccinated by September 30

The Government is to purchase 14 million doses of Pfizer vaccine and nine million doses of Sinopharm with the intention of vaccinating all above 18 years old.

“The COVID-19 vaccination programme planned to vaccinate 14 million of the population initially with a view of protecting the population from the pandemic. As of August 9 this year, the country has received 19.49 million doses of vaccines. Out of that 11.26 million doses were used as the first dose and 3.25 million were used as the second dose,” the Cabinet paper stated.

By September 30 this year the government plans to vaccinate all persons who are above 18 years. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the purchasing of vaccines at the unit price decided by the negotiating committee appointed by the Cabinet.

The Cabinet of Ministers also granted approval for the import of 360,000 litres of liquid medicinal oxygen in addition to the monthly general import of 120,000 liters of liquid medicinal oxygen.

The increasing number of patients depending on oxygen has increased due to the spread of the new COVID-19 variant at present. The decision to purchase has been approved due to the need of sufficient stock of oxygen stored within the country for emergency use, the Cabinet paper stated.

Meanwhile, the number of persons dying from the virus continues to surge with the latest daily death toll reporting as 171. Yesterday (17) also recorded the highest number of cases. According to the Health Ministry, 3609 persons were tested positive for the virus on yesterday.

About 50 towns around the country are seeing closure of both wholesale and retail shops. Both wholesale and retail traders in one of the busiest streets in Pettah, Second Cross Street too decided to close down shops for a week owing to the growing number of COVID cases.

Traders in Negombo and Kochchikade areas too have decided to close down shops till August 25 due to the present COVID situation.  Kotagala, Welimada, Siyambalanduwa, Kamburupitiya traders too decided to go for a week’s self-imposed closure.

Traders in Anuradhapura, Chilaw, Thambuttegama Special Economic Centre and Keyser Street too joined the move to close shops for a week.