Sri Lanka police to strictly enforce mask and social distancing rules

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka police will strictly enforce mask and social distancing requirements and punish violators as other anti-virus measures are eased to reduce the economic pain, according to The Associated Press.

Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said 120 people have been arrested for failing to wear face masks and maintain social distancing in public places during the last 10 days.

Coronavirus rules introduced last month carry a penalty of a $54 fine, six months’ imprisonment or both.

“From today onwards, we will strictly enforce this law and will arrest those who defy these rules,” Rohana was quoted as saying by The Associated Press.

Passenger trains resumed operating after nearly two weeks and the government lifted a curfew that had been in effect in the capital, Colombo, and its suburbs. Only pockets where infections are high will remain under isolation with no one permitted to enter or leave the area.

The government said the coronavirus threat has not subsided, but the region must be opened up because the economy cannot sustain a continued closure.

Sri Lanka has counted 13,929 COVID-19 patients with 35 deaths since the pandemic began. Both figures have been increasing because of two recent clusters that account for more than 9,900 of the total infections.