COLOMBO – Sri Lanka on Tuesday (27) announced schools across the country will be closed until April 30, as COVID-19 numbers topped the 1000 mark for the first time, with 1096 new cases recorded during the course of the day. Tuesday also saw a surge in Covid-related fatalities, with eight deaths reported from various parts of the country.
Education Minister Prof G. L. Peiris, announcing the decision to close all schools, told reports on Tuesday that all decisions with regard to school activities will be taken prioritizing the health and safety of school children.
Sri Lanka has seen a surge in daily COVID-19 cases following the Sinhala & Tamil New Year holidays, with authorities fearing a newer, more virulent strain that is said to be affecting younger people.
“This weekend we will have a meeting with health authorities, regional education directors and school principals to decide on the course of action for next week, after May 3,” he said.
Meanwhile health authorities isolated two more Grama Niladhari divisions on Tuesday, bringing total isolated areas since April 21 to 12.
Siriketha in Hingurakgoda, Polonnaruwa and Pallekumburan in Ukuwela, Matale were isolated from 6.30 a.m. Tuesday. The Grama Niladhari divisions of Polhena, Heeralugedara, Kaluaggala in Kotadeniya, Gampaha, Aswennawaththa East in Minuwangoda, Gampaha, Pelawaththa North and East in Megahatenna, Kalutara, Pupuhar in Trincomalee, Kuliyapitiya, Thittawelgama Niraviya and Nikadalupotha in Kurunegala, Adhikarigoda in Kalutara, and Imbulagoda and Katudampe in Galle, were designated as isolated areas on Monday (26).
However, television news reports showed residents from isolated areas moving to other districts and non-isolated areas following Monday’s declaration.
Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said 108 people were arrested on Monday for not following quarantine laws, not maintaining physical distance and not wearing facemasks.
“From October 30 till now we have arrested around 3,755, of whom 3,650 have been produced in court,” Rohana told reporters, adding that most were from the Kalutara district.
Rohana said police will continue to supervise the general public, and urged the workforce to follow the health guidelines. “We ask management of all companies to monitor all employees and ensure guidelines are followed,” he added.
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