President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed the health authorities to carry out an island-wide survey of those who have still not been vaccinated against COVID-19, says the President’s Media Division (PMD).

The instructions came during the meeting held with the Special Committee on Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak on the vaccination drive and future plans. The meeting took place at the Presidential Secretariat this evening (July 30).

According to the PMD, studies conducted on COVID-infected people and those who fell victim to the virus in the country have revealed that close to 95% of them were unvaccinated against the novel coronavirus.

The President also stressed the need to look into those who have still not been vaccinated despite making the jabs available and to encourage them to take the coronavirus shots.

Thereby, the President has instructed the officials to conduct an expedited survey at Divisional Secretariat level and to obtain a report within a few days on those who are yet to be vaccinated.

The government has fulfilled its responsibility of bringing down the vaccine, the President remarked, adding that it is the duty of the people to follow the health guidelines in order to prevent the spread of the virus and to obtain the vaccine without delay.

The COVID Committee also paid attention to making it mandatory for the people visiting government institutions and public places in the future to have the card certifying that they have been vaccinated.

Ministers Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Gamini Lokuge, Johnston Fernando, Keheliya Rambukwella, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Ramesh Pathirana, Namal Rajapaksa, State Ministers Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Sisira Jayakody, Prof. Channa Jayasumana, MPs Madhura Withanage, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Health Secretary Major General Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe, Director-General of Health Dr. Asela Gunawardana, the commanders of the tri-forces, Inspector General of Police, the heads of health and security sectors also attended the said meeting.