The Board of Investment (BOI) yesterday said that it had successfully administered the second dose of vaccinations against COVID-19 to nearly 80% of employees of all 14 Export Processing Zones (EPZs) across the country, with the support of the Ministry of Health and the armed forces.

The double vaccination of employees outside the zones amounted to 70%.

Chairman Sanjaya Mohottala said the BOI remained committed to the safety of the people and the continued productivity of all manufacturing entities under its purview.

“The BOI is pleased with the progress that has been made in deploying the second vaccine dose for all employees, both within the EPZs, and also manufacturing locations outside of the EPZs,” he added.

“With 80% of the zonal population double vaccinated, and aggressive plans underway to fully vaccinate 100% of employees within the coming weeks, we humbly request the support of all employees and business leaders to continue operations amidst these turbulent times by respecting and adhering to all safety precautions,” Mohottala said in a statement. 

“My sincere appreciation goes out to everyone who supports keeping the national economy humming,” he added.

The BOI said the vaccine drive had received the unstinted cooperation of the COVID Task Force under the leadership of the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Minister of Youth and Sports, Minister of Development Coordination and Monitoring and State Minister of Digital Technology and Enterprise Development Namal Rajapaksa, Ministry of Health, and the armed forces.

The BOI provides nearly 500,000 direct employment opportunities across the country, stemming from both the 14 EPZs and other manufacturing facilities located outside the zones.