Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena has issued a general guide for health, local security and local administrative bodies, specifying a list of services that should operate during the quarantine curfew.
According to Dr. Gunawardena, they must be carried out in strict adherence to the health guidelines that are already in place.
The health sector including ambulance, laboratory and diagnostic services, pharmacies and Covid vaccination programs will continue as usual.
The communiqué stated that routine clinics will not be held. However, medicines will be sent to registered patients.
It added that Police stations, Grama Niladhari officers, all field-based officials, Local Government authorities, utility services and the agriculture sector can carry out their functions under strict precautions. Supermarkets and groceries are permitted to provide online services during this period and bakeries can provide mobile delivery services. Although banks will remain open for limited financial transactions, they are encouraged to provide online banking services to customers.
Transportation is only for essential or other permitted services, on-line deliveries and the emergency transfer of patients, according to Dr. Gunawardena.
During the ten-day lockdown, only one person from each household can go out at a time for a specific purpose.
The Director General of Health Services strictly advises vulnerable people – senior citizens above 65 or patients with chronic illnesses – not to leave the house unless for medical reasons. Dr. Gunawardena said that religious and social gatherings, restaurants, hotels, guest houses, village fairs, tuition classes, sports festivals, cinemas, spas and other activities not specified in the communiqué will not be permitted during the lockdown.