Professor Malik Pieris, a renowned virologist, discussed the current COVID situation, vaccination, and short-term and long-term measures. He highlighted the global situation, the increase in cases in Southeast Asia, and the factors contributing to the outbreak in India and Sri Lanka. He also discussed the new variants of the virus, their transmissibility, and the potential for them to partially evade immunity from vaccination. The importance of public health and social measures, as well as balancing pandemic control with maintaining the economy, were also addressed.