Powerless PHIs to limit polls duties

Public Health Inspectors will limit their Covid- 19 prevention duties only to the polling day and the day prior to it, but will not cover any campaign rallies or meetings in the next few weeks as they are yet to be given powers under the Quarantine and Diseases Prevention Ordinance.

Public Health Inspectors Union Secretary M. Balasooriya said until they received powers under the Quarantine Ordinance, including the ability to instruct people who pose a risk to undergo quarantine and to take action against those violating quarantine guidelines, they would refrain from pre- election duties. These duties included making sure people maintained the one-metre physical distance in large gatherings, wore masks and followed other health guidelines.

This week, the Attorney G e n e r a l ’ s Dep a r tment approved polls- related health guidelines issued by the Health Ministry. However, they have not bee gazetted yet.

The duties of PHIs are mentioned under these guidelines. They include ensuring Election Commission materials are distributed or pasted in appropriate places in time, supervising election booths prior to the election day to ensure health measures are in place, supervising polling booths throughout the election day and organising disinfection activities.

“As Public Health Inspectors, we should have certain powers to make sure the people take necessary precautions. Unlike the ordinary people, election-related work involves politicians and their supporters. Some of these supporters are intoxicated and may even ignore safety rules. If we have no power under the Quarantine Ordinance to take action, there is no purpose in our presence there," Mr. Balasooriya said.

He said that despite having several rounds of talks, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi had not given a response to their appeal to give them powers in terms of the Quarantine Ordinance.

Attempts to contact Minister Wanniarachchi failed.