Sri Lanka will continue lockdown style Coronavirus restrictions till June 7, relaxing controls on May 31 and June 4 to walk to the nearest shop to buy foods and medicine.
On days that movement restrictions are relaxed, people will be only allowed to buy food and medicines.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the recommendation of health specialists.
Export activities could be continued throughout the control period.
Sri Lanka’s Peliyagoda fish market will be closed on May 26, 27, 29 for Vesak.
Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said groceries, pharmacies, bakeries, fish, meat and vegetable shops will be open.
“When we close the country for many days, there will be difficulties for daily wage earners. President asked for a framework to deal with this,” he said.
The control at 04.00 on May 31 will be re-imposed at 23.00. On the 4th it will be relaxed on 04.00. It will be re-imposed at 23.00, General Shavendra Silva stated.
“On 21st, people may have bought goods only for the 25th. So that is why we are relaxing. Delivery services will be allowed” he said.
“We are encouraging persons who are selling goods on delivery to do so. Other than those going on essential services will be only allowed to go,” General Silva also said.
Only one person can go out from the house, and the ID card rule does not apply.
“Do not go in groups. You have to go alone. If you go in groups police will take action,” Deputy Inspector General Ajith Rohana said.
Taxis and three wheelers are not expected to operate except for medical purposes.
“If you have to go to hospital, you can use your own car or a taxi,” DIG Rohana also said.
Sri Lanka has seen a third wave of Coronavirus after traditional New Year celebration in April. Daily confirmed cases have climbed to over 2,000 from below 200 before New Year and deaths rose from single digits to over 40.
