Social distancing forgotten as chaos unfolds at Galle vaccination centre

The COVID vaccination programme held at Saddhatissa Temple in Madawalamulla in Galle yesterday saw crowds of people flocking to the temple completely ignoring social distancing guidelines. 

Area residents alleged that the chaos occurred as many outsiders who weren't resident in the area also came to the vaccination temple set up at the temple on motorbikes and other vehicles. 

As a result, about 500 persons who had been called to the center to be vaccinated were turned away at 6.00pm without having been vaccinated.

Galle Mayor Priyantha Sahabandu however, disputed that there was chaos at the vaccination centre, claiming it was conducted successfully with about 4900 persons being vaccinated. He also denied reports that people had been turned away without being vaccinated. The mayor claimed that heavy rains experienced in the area in the evening would have given the impression of people being grouped closed together. 

Text and Pix by Sirangika Lokukaravita