Following an updated notice on the relaxation of travel restrictions and permitting public activities, issued by the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena travel restrictions were further relaxed from yesterday (July 10).
However, restrictions to limit inter-provincial movement will be effective for another 14 days, the notice stated.
Dr. Gunawardena said that the level of permitted functions can be subjected to amendment depending on the epidemiological situation. However, he appealed to the public to strictly comply with the guidelines issued for gatherings.
All Government and private institutions have been urged to be responsible to ensure that their functions are in accordance with the new normal.
They have been advised to continue operations with the minimum staff for most essential functions. The head of the institution is authorised to decide on the exceptions to be made.
According to the notice, places of religious worship in all districts are permitted to remain open now that the restrictions have been eased further. Wedding parties are permitted with the seating capacity limited to 25 percent or a maximum 150 participants.
Funerals, except Covid-related deaths, should be held within 24 hours of the release of the body from the hospital or Inquirer into Sudden Deaths with a maximum of 50 participants.
The notice stated that essential meetings will be permitted only up to 25 percent of the seating capacity. Permission has also been granted to hold conferences, seminars and brand launches with a maximum of 50 onsite participants. Public transport services have been advised to operate islandwide with a seating capacity limited to 50 percent, however, only 30 percent of the seating capacity is permitted within the Western Province. Health officials have also decided to permit economic centres to carry out wholesale operations under strict health guidelines.
Mobile vendors, street vendors and retail shops, grocery shops, bakeries and pastry shops have also been authorised to function under health guidelines. Supermarkets will remain open with a maximum of 25 percent of the customers that can be accommodated in the space available at a given time.
The Director General said that tailors and dressmakers, communication and photocopy shops and other retail and service-related shops, furniture shops, laundry services, hardware shops, libraries, dine-in restaurants, spas, hotels and rest houses are permitted to operate under health guidelines. Beauty salons and barber shops are permitted to continue services by appointment only. With regard to sporting activities, Dr. Gunawardena said that group activities have not been given permission. However, individual training is permitted under the guidelines on sports and sporting events issued by the Health Ministry. Gymnasiums, indoor sporting centres and swimming pools could also be kept open for the public. Walk-ways will also be opened, however, only for individual exercises.
Prisons and care homes will remain closed for visitors until further notice.