The island-wide curfew will be relaxed on Monday April 27th at 5 a.m., except in the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam, which will remain under curfew till 5 a.m. on May 4th.
A release from the Presidential Secretariat states that the curfew to be relaxed in the other districts on April 27th, will be re-imposed at 8 p.m. the same day and will remain in force till 5 a.m. on Friday, May 1st.
The release provides various regulations that must be observed even when the curfew is in force and adds that the ‘Government insists that the public must endure all these hardships for the well-being and protection of oneself, our children and entire nation. Anyone who acts in a manner that harms the welfare of the society will strictly be dealt with according to the existing laws.’
If any area where the curfew has been relaxed is deemed to be at risk, the release states that curfew may be re-imposed, and will be effective only within that village or zone. No entry into or leaving such places will be allowed.
Meanwhile, State organisations, Corporations, Boards and Departments, and retail stores, vegetable and fish stalls, construction ventures and offices will be permitted to function, though private sector enterprises will be allowed to open for work at 10 a.m. daily from May 4th.
Only 1/3 of the staff in both government and private sector is to be brought into work, irrespective of the essentiality of the service the industry is in.
While members of the public not reporting for work have been requested to refrain from gathering at various places and also being on the roads, only those coming into work will be allowed to use public transport. Those not required to report for work will be permitted to leave their residences only to purchase essential items such as groceries and medicines. This too will be to the closest grocery store or pharmacy, and will be on the basis of the last digit on their National Identity Card. Therefore, those whose NIC’s end with a 1 or 2 will be permitted to leave their residences on a Monday, 3 & 4 on Tuesdays, 5 & 6 on Wednesdays, 7 & 8 on Thursdays and 9 & 0 on Fridays.
Inter-District travel will be limited for work purposes and essential requirements while schools, universities, tuition classes, other educational institutions and cinema halls are to remain closed.
The government has also requested that all religious festivals be suspended, and asks the public to refrain from participating in meetings, processions, functions, pilgrimages and pleasure trips or going to carnivals.
Meanwhile, measures already put in to supply essentials to the public will be strengthened. The release, while seeking the cooperation of the public to fully participate in these measures, requests everyone to adhere to all the health guidelines in staying safe.
It adds that while the ‘pandemic should be controlled fully to protect civilians against the virus, it is imperative to revive the economy which has been disrupted.’
The full release can be read here:
