Health Sector urges not to leave Western Province

People leaving Colombo could result in a surge in COVID-19 cases

by Zulfick Farzan 29-10-2020 | 4:04 PM

Colombo (News 1st); Acting Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr, Hemantha Herath urged the general public not to leave the Western Province during the long weekend.

Dr. Hemantha Herath warned people leaving the Colombo District in a rush would pave the way for more COVID-19 cases and clusters to be reported from all over the country.

However, he said giving advanced notice on Thursday (29) night's quarantine curfew had given a disadvantage towards combating the spread of COVID-19.

He said it would have been wise for the quarantine curfew to be announced several hours ahead of coming into effect.

He said the public should not enter or leave the Colombo District during this period.

Even though the movement has been restricted, it is unlikely the situation would be completely controlled, he warned.

A quarantine curfew will come into effect from midnight on the 29th of October to 05:00 AM on Monday, 02nd of November.

The quarantine curfew will be lifted at 05:00 AM on Monday 02nd November ONLY for areas which are not placed under quarantine curfew, before it comes into effect on 29th October.

The quarantine curfew which is already in effect will continue until further notice, for the areas in question after 05:00 AM on Monday 02nd November.

The time-table to re-open pharmacies and grocery stores as announced on Tuesday (27) will be in effect on Thursday (29) and will resume again after the 02nd of November.