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How a nation was left puzzled after the curfew was announced
Since the government announced a 10-day lockdown yesterday afternoon, the nation has been left puzzled. With contradictory terms used for the shutdown and then ever-changing lists being released as to who can function and who cannot, one wonders why a collective decision cannot be taken.
Why are the public always left confused?
If a curfew or lockdown was being discussed, an official list could be prepared which could be released to the media instead of different ministers releasing their own lists.
On Friday morning, new Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella released a statement on his now very active Twitter account saying a nationwide lockdown will be imposed from Friday night 10 pm to Monday, August 30. In his tweet he said all essential services will continue to function as normal, leaving a nation wondering who would fall under these services as past during previous travel restrictions many people crept under 'essential services'.
Shortly after, on Friday, Army Commander and Head of the National Operations Center for Prevention of COVID-19, General Shavendra Silva speaking to journalists said that a 10-day quarantine curfew was to be declared, contradicting the word 'lockdown' used by the Health Minister. He said under this quarantine curfew, agriculture, apparel, health workers, construction workers, pharmacies and essential services could operate. He added that special emphasis would be given to the vaccination drive, especially to vaccinate those citizens above 60 years of age.
Despite this, the public had many queries if supermarkets could function, online deliveries would function, banks would be open, all which was left unanswered. This led to people flocking to supermarkets to stock up on essentials.
Then on Friday afternoon, Minister of Highways, Johnston Fernando, also released his list.
He took to the media to say that construction work of roads and highways across the country will continue as usual despite the quarantine curfew.
He said those who are employed in the construction sector can accordingly report to work by using their employee identity card as a curfew pass.
Then on Saturday morning, the DG Health, Dr, Asela Gunawardena released a statement by the Health Ministry, detailing who could go out. He said supermarkets and all online deliveries would function online only and banks could function as well for limited transactions while bakeries could also deliver through mobile teams.
Then on Saturday afternoon, the Health Ministry amended this list further and added nine more categories that could function including the media.
However, even with these lists, the police manning the roads were not aware entirely on who could function and had many questions to the passersby's. This is quite obvious as the lists, even till Saturday afternoon, continued to be amended.
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