Work to commence in Colombo and Gampaha today whilst curfew in force

• Shopping malls, cinemas and places which congregate people will be closed until further notice

By JAMILA HUSAIN   

Curfew in the high risk districts of Colombo and Gampaha will remain in force, however work will commence from today and both public and private sector employees can travel to work by showing their office identification, an email, sms or Whatsapp message on their mobile phones, showing their proof of employment to the thousands of military and police personnel who will be deployed on the roads to maintain the health guidelines.   

While a curfew will remain in place in these districts, DIG Ajith Rohana said that economic activities will resume and public transport would be available for those only commuting to work.   

Mr. Ajith Rohana said public sector employees using their own vehicles were advised to reach office before 8.30 a.m. while private sector employees have been advised to travel from 8.30 a.m and 10 a.m. The timings will need to be maintained to ease the traffic congestion on the roads.   

In the afternoon, public sector employees who will be traveling in their own vehicles have been advised to leave office between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. and private sector employees between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. He said that three wheelers and taxi services will be available for those traveling to work but they have to maintain the health guidelines by carrying two passengers only.   

Construction sites, beauty saloons and other businesses are allowed to resume work from today, subject to adhering to the guidelines issued to them. Public Health Officers will be visiting these sites from today to probe if the one meter distancing and other health guidelines are being followed.   

Further, DIG Ajith Rohana said hotels can operate, but restaurants will not be permitted to resume their operations. The authorities are particular with this regulation, in order to discourage the gathering of large crowds, he said. He also mentioned that restaurants or shops that sell cooked food, tea, fruit juice etc., and gyms, spas or night clubs are not permitted to resume operations as yet. However restaurants can continue their online delivery system. Grocery stores and supermarkets can re-open all their outlets today but have to ensure that a few customers are taken in at each time while a safe one meter distance is maintained.   

Further, he explained that the NIC last digit based system will be in force from today and people who have 1 or 2 as the last digit in their NICs can go to the nearby shop by walking today. Vehicles will not be permitted to go to the super markets or stores.    

All other places such as shopping malls, cinemas and places which congregate people will be closed until further notice and all business establishments within these premises will also remain closed. All garment stores will also remain closed.   

While a curfew will remain in place in these districts, DIG Ajith Rohana said that economic activities will resume and public transport would be available for those only commuting to work.   

Mr. Ajith Rohana said public sector employees using their own vehicles were advised to reach office before 8.30 a.m. while private sector employees have been advised to travel from 8.30 a.m and 10 a.m. The timings will need to be maintained to ease the traffic congestion on the roads.   

In the afternoon, public sector employees who will be travelling in their own vehicles have been advised to leave office between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. and private sector employees between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. He said that three wheelers and taxi services will be available for those travelling to work but they have to maintain the health guidelines by carrying two passengers only.   

Construction sites, beauty saloons and other businesses are allowed to resume work from today, subject to adhering to the guidelines issued to them. Public Health Officers will be visiting these sites from today to probe if the one metre distancing and other health guidelines are being followed.   

Further, DIG Ajith Rohana said hotels can operate, but restaurants will not be permitted to resume their operations. The authorities are particular with this regulation, in order to discourage the gathering of large crowds, he said. He also mentioned that restaurants or shops that sell cooked food, tea, fruit juice etc., and gyms, spas or night clubs are not permitted to resume operations as yet. However restaurants can continue their online delivery system. Grocery stores and supermarkets can re-open all their outlets today but have to ensure that a few customers are taken in at each time while a safe one metre distance is maintained.  Further, he explained that the NIC last digit based system will be in force from today and people who have 1 or 2 as the last digit in their NICs can go to the nearby shop by walking today. Vehicles will not be permitted to go to the super markets or stores.    
All other places such as shopping malls, cinemas and places which congregate people will be closed until further notice and all business establishments within these premises will also remain closed. All garment stores will also remain closed.   

However, DIG’s statement failed to mention anything about the traders in Pettah/Fort who still remain unsure if they can resume work from today. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, in a statement released yesterday said that while government and private sector institutions will begin functioning with a limited number of employees from today, the number of passengers on trains and buses will be limited.   

However, DIG’s statement failed to mention anything about the traders in Pettah/Fort who still remain unsure if they can resume work from today. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, in a statement released yesterday said that while government and private sector institutions will begin functioning with a limited number of employees from today, the number of passengers on trains and buses will be limited.