New series of health guidelines issued in Sri Lanka pandemic battle

COLOMBO: With the rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 infections in the country, a new series of health guidelines has been issued under the signature of the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena.

According to the new guidelines, opportunities for activities, including public gatherings, have been severely restricted.

Instructions were issued by the Ministry of Health also for public transportation. Trains and buses can only carry passengers according to seating capacity.

Three-wheelers can carry only two passengers at a time.

Other models of taxis can only carry passengers as per seating capacity.

Industries, including export-oriented garment factories, must operate within a biological safety bubble, under the supervision of the area health officer.

Only 25 percent of the total capacity of a supermarket can be accommodated at one time, the same applies to shopping malls.

Visitors are not allowed to visit prison inmates.

Schools, pre-schools, tuition classes, universities and other higher education institutions will be closed until further notice.

Day care centers are also not open.

Weddings are not allowed from Tuesday, May 4 to May 20.

All cinema halls and children’s parks will remain closed until further notice, according to the new COVID-19 health guidelines.