President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed to lift the current inter-provincial travel restrictions after 4.00 am today, October 31. Thus, people will be permitted to resume their daily routines under the new-normal guidelines. General Manager of Lanka Railways, Dhammika Jayasundara said that inter-provincial trains will operate from November 1. He said the train services are resuming normal operations after clearance from the Health Ministry.
However, passengers need to follow Covid-19 guidelines. He said 152 inter-provincial trains will resume for office workers and the public. Passengers could also obtain train tickets at the ticket counters. Director General of the National Transport Commission, Nilan Miranda said the inter-provincial bus service will commence from today, October 31 with the easing of travel restrictions and steps have been taken to run special bus services for office workers coming to Colombo from various parts of the country.
These decisions were taken at the meeting of the Special Committee on Covid-19 Control chaired by President Rajapaksa which was held via video technology on Friday, October 29.
During the meeting, it was revealed that the schooling of children has been severely disrupted and considering this situation recommendations were made to begin the GCE Ordinary Level and Advanced Level classes in all schools. The President said that principals should be made aware of this decision and the process of starting schools should be implemented expeditiously.
The President also directed the health and education authorities to expeditiously explore the possibility of commencing academic activities for the first-year students in universities.
It was also decided to immediately look into the possibility of making the vaccination card compulsory when entering public places including shops and restaurants. Health officials said that there are legal provisions under the Covid-19 related law to enforce it against those who decline to get the vaccine, and health officials said that they have sought the Attorney General’s advice in this regard.
The President also looked into the progress of the vaccination drive implemented for schoolchildren. The President emphasised the need to further strengthen the vaccination program to reduce the Covid-19 mortality rate and the number of infected people. The President also instructed that all people should be provided with the opportunity to be vaccinated by deploying vehicles for mobile vaccination in remote areas.
The Provincial Health Directors told the President of the false propaganda carried out by various groups over the vaccination. The President instructed the IGP to immediately look into the various organised groups, including social media, which are trying to create unnecessary fear among the public about the vaccination.
He said that the Provincial and District Health Directors should take more responsibility in restoring normalcy in the country by bringing the current situation under control, and called upon them to coordinate with all sectors and continue their commitment to make the Covid-19 eradication program a success.
A lengthy discussion was also held on providing foreigners the opportunity to visit Sri Lanka to attend future international sports competitions. The health sector said that there is a potential to facilitate these visitors by limiting them to a bio-bubble.
Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa said that many requests have been received from local and foreign sports events organisers to permit foreigners to visit Sri Lanka to watch a number of games, including the upcoming LPL tournament, and added that it will be a unique opportunity to promote the tourism industry and boost foreign exchange earnings.