26 COVID-19 deaths reported as new cases top 2,500 for second day
Government introduces travel curbs
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka recorded 26 COVID-19 related deaths on Monday (10), the highest so far, as new cases topped 2500 for the second day, with 2,573 confirmations and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced inter-provincial travel restrictions until May 30.
The deaths recorded from various parts of the country take Sri Lanka Covid-fatality 827. Covid fatalities have seen a spike in recent days, with 15 deaths reported on Sunday (9) and 22 on Saturday (8).
Monday’s confirmations take Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 tally to 128,530, with 22,118 receiving treatment at various designated hospitals. Health authorities have been scrambling to build new health facilities while ratcheting up a vaccination drive, mainly using Sputnik vaccine from Russia and Sinopharm from China.
Meanwhile, President Rajapaksa instructed authorities to introduce a series of tough measured including travel restrictions between provinces; ban gatherings and functions; limit the number of people who can enter and stay in commercial establishments; and -Isolate the areas where infected people are found in higher numbers. These measures are to remain effective till May 30, his office said in a statement.
It said that the President had emphasized proper procedures be followed to ensure the lives of the people are not disrupted and that the essential services of the country are maintained when imposing the restrictions.
However, the statement was not clear s whether the restriction was effectively immediately although reports said inter-provincial buses would be halted from midnight Monday.
President’s media spokesman Kingsley Ratnayake, who was quoted in the statement, said it was President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s belief that adhering to health guidelines will result in a healthier nation.
Army Commander Gen Shavendra Silva was quoted in media reports earlier Monday as saying no total lockdown would be imposed in the island.
-ENCL/economynext.com