• President informed curve will reduce after Sept. 15
• Special emphasis given to the vaccination drive
• All companies informed to operate on limited staff

By JAMILA HUSAIN

The ongoing islandwide lockdown has been extended till September 13, following recommendations by health experts that the country should remain closed further to curb the spread of the ongoing highly contagious Delta variant. 

The COVID-19 Task Force met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a virtual meeting held last morning where it was decided to extend the lockdown by a further week, during which special emphasis will be given to the vaccination drive. Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the lockdown will be lifted on September 13 at 4 am, but officials said the situation will be reviewed closer to the date.

The Daily Mirror learns that health experts had informed President Rajapaksa that the curve is expected to go down after September 15, according to the present data available, and therefore it was recommended that people’s movement remains restricted at least till then.

However, essential services and workers from Tourism, Agriculture, Apparel and construction can continue to function. However, all companies have been informed to operate on limited staff.

Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said that during the lockdown, President Rajapaksa had urged authorities to complete vaccinating all those above 30 years of age in all the districts and with the 4 million Sinopharm doses expected to arrive in Sri Lanka today, these doses will be dispatched to the districts which require the vaccines. 

• Essential services and workers from Tourism, Agriculture, Apparel and construction can continue to function. However, all companies have been informed to operate on limited staff