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Travel restricted islandwide

13 May 2021

  • Operative from 11 p.m. tonight till 4 a.m. on 17 May

  • From 17 May, 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. daily

  • NIC last digit returns, one per household

  • Public transport as per seating

  • 2 passengers per pvt. taxi car service, 3-wheelers

  • Offices with minimum staff only

  • Bio-bubble for garment, agri export industries

  • 25% capacity for rest

BY Hiranyada Dewasiri In a bid to control the spread of Covid-19, travel restrictions have been imposed islandwide with effect from 11 p.m. tonight (13) until 4 a.m. on 17 May. Furthermore, from 17 to 31 May, travel restrictions will be in place islandwide from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. National Operation Centre for Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Head and Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said yesterday (12) that the transportation of essential items including food will be permitted during this period. He also stated that the ongoing vaccination programme in the Western Province will continue as usual. Releasing a statement to the press yesterday, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena said that all non-essential travel will not be permitted during this period. Accordingly, from 17 May onwards, only one person per household will be permitted to leave the house on a given day based on the last digit of their National Identity Card (NIC) number. Holders of NICs ending with even numbers (including zero) are thereby permitted to leave home on even-numbered days, while those with NICs ending with odd numbers can leave home on odd-numbered days. However, this system does not apply from 11 p.m. today till 4 a.m. on 17 May. Only travel for work-related purposes and to obtain health services have been exempted from the above system. Moreover, under the revised restrictions on permitted functions that came into effect from yesterday until 31 May, public transport and private taxi services that are not cars or three-wheelers can only transport seated passengers. Only two passengers are permitted to be transported in a car or a three-wheeler. Utility services have been requested to provide all essential services with minimum staff. Government sector and private sector offices have been requested to function with minimum staff. The garment and agricultural exports-oriented industries are to operate in a bio-secure bubble under the close supervision of the area medical officer of health (MOH), while also ensuring secure accommodation and transport for workers. Supermarkets, shopping malls, grocery shops, banks, courts, beauty salons, barbers, electronic shops, communication centres, tailors, and laundries have been instructed to admit 25% of the total number of customers that can be accommodated in that space. Dine-in restaurants are allowed to take in customers for 25% of their seating capacity and group dining has been restricted to eight persons. Hotels and guest houses have been allowed to accommodate 25% of the total capacity that can be allowed at a given time. Street and mobile vendors, filling stations, construction sites, takeaway restaurants, and agriculture-based operations are permitted to operate while adhering to the Covid-19 safety guidelines of hand-sanitising, properly wearing face masks, and maintaining social distance. Pubs, bars, nightclubs, cinemas, casinos, betting centres, children’s parks, gymnasiums, swimming pools, carnivals, beach parties, musical shows, and theatres, as well as schools, daycare centres, preschools, tuition classes, and higher education institutes are to remain closed. Walkways are open for use to walk on one’s own without any crowding. No parties, indoor, outdoor, or in-house gatherings or gatherings in the beach are permitted during this period till 31 May. Wedding functions have been banned till 31 May. However, marriage registrations can be conducted with immediate family members up to a maximum of 15 participants. Funerals are to be held within 24 hours after the release of the body with 15 persons attending at a given time. Boarding houses are permitted to function at full capacity, but are not to admit new persons. No collective activities or gatherings are allowed at places of worship and no visitors are to be allowed at prisons. Wine stores have been permitted to stay open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, whilst adhering to the safety guidelines. On 11 May, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said they had made a policy request from the President to close all wine stores and to motivate people not to smoke, so as to help increase the immunity of the people. The GMOA called for movement restrictions by way of an all-island quarantine curfew to achieve 80-90% physical distancing in order to ensure the optimal control of the Covid-19 pandemic during the upcoming long weekend, it was reported yesterday. Inter-provincial movement has also been restricted with effect from yesterday until 31 May. Inter-provincial travel for health services, the Police and the tri-forces, state sector officials on essential official visits, distributors of essential supplies, providers of essential services such as utility services, travel in connection with the death of an immediate family member (proof required), and the transport of cargo or travel to or from a port of exit or entry to the country (proof required) have been permitted. State Minister of Community Police Services Dilum Amunugama said police and army officers will be checking for the relevant documentation when crossing provincial borders and that it is essential that such documents are obtained when crossing provincial borders.


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