COLOMBO, Aug 21 (NNN-XINHUA) – A 10-day nationwide quarantine curfew is imposed in Sri Lanka from last night, in order to prevent a further spread of the COVID-19 virus, the country’s Army Commander and Head of the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak, General Shavendra Silva, said.
Silva told Xinhua that, the curfew came into effect from 10:00 p.m. local time last night and will be lifted at 4:00 a.m. local time, on Aug 30.
However, essential services, such as those in agriculture, apparel, construction workers, and pharmacies can continue to operate, he said.
Silva said, vaccination centres will remain open and priority will be given to those above 60 years old, who are yet to be vaccinated.
“Mobile teams will operate during these 10 days and we will ensure that all those above 60 are vaccinated, as a large number of deaths have been among this age group,” Silva said.
Sri Lanka is facing a rapid rise in COVID-19 infections, with 377,973 cases detected, since Mar, last year.
The current active patient count was over 47,000, statistics from the Health Ministry showed. Altogether 6,790 deaths have been reported from the virus.
Health workers said, the rise in infections in recent weeks was from the Delta variant, with the capital, Colombo, being the epicentre of the variant spread.
Hospitals have been filled with patients, while crematoriums are also working round the clock, to cremate the dead.
Health workers have warned that, the situation may reach its peak in two weeks, and have urged people to stay indoors as much as possible.– NNN-XINHUA
