Sri Lanka bans public events, parties to contain COVID-19 wave
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s government has halted all State functions and also invoked coronavirus quarantine regulations to ban private functions, the President’s office said.
“All State festivals planned for the next two weeks have been halted,” a statement from the President’s office said, adding, “The government had decided to ban all private sector functions, meetings and parties under quarantine regulations.”
Sri Lanka has confirmed close to 900 new cases each day over the past two days after a suspected new COVID-19 variant began to spread around the country, killing younger patients and filling up intensive care units.
It is not clear how the new variant entered the country but Sri Lanka recently relaxed quarantine rules for returnees including vaccinated persons. Vaccination is not 100% effective.
Earlier in the week at least one returnee undergoing home quarantine died from coronavirus.
Authorities have urged the public to stay at home and to avoid travel as much as possible. Some district officials have asked people avoid travelling to areas under their jurisdiction.
Meanwhile two areas in Kuliyapitiya in the Kurunegala district, and Kalutara in the Western Province has been locked down while Eastern Province Governor Anuradha Yahampath has instructed all schools in the Trincomalee Education Zone being closed until further notice.
The total number of COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka surpassed the 100,000 mark on Saturday (24), with the confirmation of 826 new cases , and reached 101,379 on Sunday (25). A total of 925,242 have been deemed recovered and been discharged from hospitals. The death toll from the virus stands at 642, with two new fatalities reported on Sunday.
Sri Lankan health experts issued a red alert on Friday (23) across the country after a rise in cases attributed to a new variant of the coronavirus rapidly spreading in the country.
This new variant has become airborne and is affecting the youth, health experts said.
Health experts urged people to maintain social distancing and wear masks as the virus could be in the air for over an hour once a patient transmits the virus.
Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said on Friday authorities would not impose a lockdown or ban district travels but urged people to maintain social distance and wear masks to prevent a rapid spread.
Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry issued new health guidelines suspending tuition classes and allowing a maximum of 150 guests at weddings.
-economynext.com/ENCL