No Need for Mandatory Masks in Offices, Says Ministry of Health

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Health has clarified that there is no current need to mandate mask-wearing within office premises across public institutions. 

This statement was made in response to a circular issued by the Deputy Chief Secretary of the Western Province, which had advised heads of institutions to implement mask-wearing protocols.

In an official communication, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Health, responded to the circular by requesting that such guidance be reconsidered. 

Dr. Jasinghe emphasised that there is no requirement at present to issue general instructions mandating the use of face masks in public sector workplaces.

He further explained that following the official end of the COVID-19 global pandemic in mid-2023, the disease has since been categorized alongside other respiratory infections under surveillance and control programs.

The letter also notes that while respiratory illnesses such as influenza tend to increase during the rainy season, and with that comes a potential resurgence of COVID-19 cases, such conditions should be managed and prevented through standard public health practices rather than broad mandates.