COLOMBO, Jun 3 (NNN-XINHUA) – Sri Lankan authorities said yesterday, the ongoing nationwide travel restriction had been extended to June 14, as health officials looked to stop the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Sri Lanka’s Army Commander and Head of the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19, General Shavendra Silva, told Xinhua that the nationwide travel restriction was extended, under the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and it would not be relaxed anytime in between.
Only essential services and food suppliers are allowed to be on the roads, while all others are urged to stay at home.
Sri Lanka is facing a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 80,000 infected patients detected since the end of Apr.
Authorities said, this new virus, which infected the younger population, was now airborne and people were urged to strictly follow all health guidelines.
According to official figures, the country recorded 1,527 deaths from the virus.
A mass vaccination programme is ongoing, with over two million people vaccinated, figures from the Epidemiology Unit showed.
The army commander said, while the Sinopharm vaccines are presently administered in the country, the vaccination programme will be extended to other districts of the nation from Jun 8, with priority given to pregnant women and senior citizens above the age of 60.– NNN-XINHUA
