Govt. cancels two-day allocation for grocery shopping No official statement released

• Door to door deliveries to start from today

By JAMILA HUSAIN

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, headed by Basil Rajapaksa, yesterday decided to cancel the two days allocated for people to visit supermarkets and grocery stores in the curfew areas, in order to minimise the risk of a possible spread of COVID-19.

Director General of Government Information Department, Nalaka Kaluwewa told the Daily Mirror that following recommendations, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 decided to suspend the two days allocated for purchases as this would lead to people congregating, posing a big risk.   Kaluwewa said that as a result, from today, the government had made arrangements for essential supplies and food rations to be supplied to people's door steps so this would prevent people from leaving their homes.

The National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPC) last week announced that essential goods outlets and pharmacies will be allowed to operate on Mondays and Thursdays in the Gampaha and Kalutara districts, and on Tuesdays and Fridays in the Colombo and Kurunegala districts.
However, Head of the NOCPC Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva also confirmed yesterday that the previously announced system was cancelled in order to prevent people from stepping outdoors.
However even till last evening, there was no official announcement that the two day system had been cancelled by the government.

Supermarkets and grocery stores were given until yesterday to sort out their delivery systems to curfew imposed areas. 

Meanwhile, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana told the media yesterday that essential goods outlets, such as supermarkets and Lanka Sathosa, had been permitted to operate 15 delivery services. These outlets will be allowed to operate delivery services using cars, vans, motorcycles, and three-wheelers.

The DIG said that food centres have been permitted to operate 10 delivery services, while pharmacies can implement their own delivery services.

Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 decided to suspend the two days allocated for purchases as this would lead to people congregating, posing a big risk