Sri Lanka vigilant over new COVID variant

With the spread of the new COVID variant JN.1 reported from India, Sri Lanka remains vigilant over the possible spread of the disease, Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana said.

The Minister said that no cases have been reported thus far, from random sample tests carried out. It is important that the public adhere to health and hygiene practices during the previous waves of COVID-19, the Minister said.

“With the support of the Medical Research Institute, extensive sample tests have been carried out. However, no COVID patients have been identified so far,” the Health Minister reassured. 

Asked if tourists arriving in Sri Lanka will be screened for the disease, the Health Minister said that there is currently no requirement, adding that the government does not wish to place restrictions on Indian tourists, Sri Lanka’s top source market for tourism.