Travel restrictions to curb COVID spread
An all-island travel restriction was imposed from midnight yesterday (12) until the 31st of May from 11.00 p.m. until 4.00 a.m. every day, Commander of Sri Lanka Army and Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) General Shavendra Silva, announced yesterday.
However, he said that from 11.00 p.m. today (13) an all-island travel restriction will be imposed until 04.00 a.m. on Monday (May 17).
During this period however, the transport of essential items and food will be permitted. Additionally, the ongoing vaccination programme in the Western Province will also continue as scheduled.
General Shavendra Silva further said people will not be allowed to cross within provinces, districts, Grama Niladhari Divisions and even cities during this period except for urgent requirements or essential services.
Meanwhile, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said, “Restriction of movement between provinces has been implemented since 12.00 midnight on Tuesday and police officers have been deployed to implement the mechanism at the entry and exit points of the provinces.
Special journeys or holiday trips and journeys in respect of religious activities and weekend trips have been strictly prohibited between provinces.
In addition, we have made an announcement regarding the hotels, guesthouses and other places where persons are accommodated where they should not allow any person visiting from other provinces to stay at these hotels or any of these places. But, they can accommodate persons who live in these respective provinces. Further, at the exit and entry points of provinces, police officers and members of the security forces have been instructed to check the IDs or other documents of the persons travelling for essential services. In order to enable the smooth operation of the essential services, who are allowed to travel between provinces, these persons should have in hand their relevant IDs or documents in order to produce them at the check points.”
In addition, in terms of provisions of the health guidelines issued on Tuesday, there are certain restrictions that were implemented since yesterday (12). “Accordingly, passengers should be limited to the seating capacity of public transportation and three wheelers, taxis and cars can carry only two passengers, in addition to the driver.
“Further, all seminars and workshops have been restricted and shopping complexes and financial institutions, including banks, textile shops, other retail shops and supermarkets and open markets or fairs could accommodate only 25% of the customer capacity of the premises. In keeping with these guidelines, all functions have been restricted and cinemas, children’s parks, swimming pools, pubs, clubs and gaming centres and spas have been ordered to be closed,” he added.
The DIG said that the police have been instructed to implement the health guidelines published by the Director General of Health Services on May 11. These health guidelines are being implemented from midnight yesterday until May 31.
The Police Spokesman appealed to the public to adhere to these guidelines in order to control the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus in the country and assist the authorities to bring the situation under control.
Meanwhile, during the period until 31 May, when travel is permitted between 4.00 am to 11.00 pm, only one member from a family can go out of their homes based on the last digit of their NIC number, the Police Spokesman said.
Accordingly, those with ID numbers ending with Odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) would be permitted to go out on Odd days of the week and those with Even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) can go out on Even days.
source http://www.dailynews.lk/2021/05/13/local/249182/travel-restrictions-curb-covid-spread
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