• Public are urged to act responsibly and avoid leaving homes unnecessarily 
• Supermarkets can function at a maximum of 25 percent capacity per time
• Salons can function with only one customer and one service provider at a time 

By JAMILA HUSAIN

Army Commander General Shavendra Silva yesterday said although the country has opened up for three days from today, only two people should leave their homes to prevent a further spread of the new variants of COVID-19.   

Silva told Daily Mirror that they had decided to open for three days as the country was closed for nearly a month but the public were urged to act responsibly and avoid leaving homes unnecessarily.  

“We are still continuing to report high number of patients so people are urged to behave responsibly. Just because the islandwide travel restriction has been lifted we urge people to leave home only if necessary as this should not lead to a higher spread. We are not lifting this for people to go out,” Silva said.  

“If this does not work out as planned we will have to take alternate decisions again,” he added.  
According to new health guidelines released by the Director-General of Health Services, it said only two people should leave their homes in the coming 72 hours while all public gatherings will continue to be banned.  
Public transportation will function at 50 percent occupancy for other districts while in the Western Province only essential services will be allowed to run.  
Only two people will be allowed to travel in a taxi.  
Private and State Institutions will have to function with minimum staff and office meetings and all essential meetings should be held with less than 10 people while such meetings are prohibited in the Western Province.  
Factories have been told to work under a social bubble while banks and financial institutions will have to function with only 10 customers at a time with a minimum staff.  

Grocery shops and bakeries can take in a maximum of three people under strict health protocols per time.  
Supermarkets can function at a maximum of 25 percent capacity per time.  

Salons can function with only one customer and one service provider at a time. 

 
Courts will function only under essential service only while prisons will have no visitors while gyms, indoor stadiums and swimming pools will be closed. 

 
Weddings will not be allowed while wedding registration will be allowed with only 10 people.  
Restaurants will be closed for dine in while pubs and bars will be closed.