FAQs on how to operate after quarantine is lifted clarified by police

Colombo (News 1st);  Police Media Spokesman, DIG Ajith Rohana on Sunday (08.11.2020) clarified the manner in which daily activities should be carried out in the country after the lifting of the curfew on Monday (09), as per the new normal concept.

Although the quarantine curfew imposed on the Western Province will end at 5.00 am on Monday (09), 25 police areas, the Kurunegala Municipal Council area and a Grama Niladhari Division in Panadura will remain as isolated areas.

Those who live in those isolated areas are not allowed to exit and those living outside of those areas are not permitted to enter under any circumstance.

No one is permitted to leave the area even for their place of work or any other matter as they could unknowingly be carriers of the virus, warned DIG Ajith Rohana.

In particular, the health sector has warned that these isolated areas are high-risk areas.

Vehicles should continue to drive through these isolated areas, he said, adding that passengers will not be able to disembark or be picked up in those areas.

Parking is also prohibited, and these rules apply to all public transportation services.

People in these areas who are being treated for pregnancy and illnesses such as heart disease can go to the nearest hospital without obtaining a pass for emergency treatment.

No outsiders are allowed to leave or enter an isolated area for any other reason, warned the DIG.

Who is allowed to walk in and out for isolated areas? 

However, BOI & EDB approved projects in isolated areas permitted to function, announced Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana on Sunday (09).

Employees of those institutions & essential workers are permitted to enter and exit the areas, he added.

"It has been decided to allow delivery services to maintain essential services in these areas. Food, drug and supermarkets in these areas may serve as delivery services within those areas but may not open stores. Arrangements are being made to these localities," he said.

High Risk Areas in Colombo : 

Five apartment complexes in Colombo have been completely quarantined, especially in Colombo North and Central areas.

They are : Methsanda Sevana , Mihijaya Sevana , Ranmini Sevana - Mutuwal Sirisanda Uyana - Dematagoda and NHS complex - Maligawatte

Its occupants are prohibited from leaving and delivery services are active to provide them with essential food and medicine, said Sri Lanka's Deputy Police Chief.

Those in Self-Quarantine : 

Those who have been self-quarantined in these areas or anywhere in the island must stay at home.

It is an offense under quarantine law to leave the residence and violation would result in strict enforcement of the law, he warned.

Expressways & Vehicular Movement : 

Expressways and other entrances to and exits from the Western Province will be opened from Monday (09).

Police officers will be positioned as these locations and they will supervise the movement of vehicles.

Sri Lanka Police requested vehicular movement be restricted to essential matters, even in areas which are not classified as isolated areas.

Wearing Face Masks and Maintaining Social Distance: 

With regard to the opening of institutions after the lifting of the curfew, the regulations mentioned in the Extraordinary Gazette Notification dated 15th October 2020 will be made mandatory.

"No matter where you are in Sri Lanka, whether isolated or not, every citizen must wear a face mask and keep a distance, & anyone who does the opposite will be arrested," warned the Deputy Police Chief.

Can outdoor activities and gatherings be organized?: 

Parties, festivals, public gatherings etc. are not permitted to be held in any part of Sri Lanka, said Sri Lanka's Deputy Police Chief Ajith Rohana.

Regular police mobile patrols and plain-clothed police officers will be deployed throughout Sri Lanka from Monday (09).

What happens when you violate the regulations?

If anyone enters or leaves an isolated area, they will be quarantined and then prosecuted under criminal law.

In addition to the quarantine rules, it is also an offense under criminal law to intentionally transmit a disease.

Consequences of providing false information? 

In particular, there have been reports of false information being added to the documents of those who come to the respective institutions, and fake passes and permits are being prepared by changing the passes and permits obtained.

If a person enters false particulars into a document, he or she will be prosecuted as it is an offense punishable by law with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 07 years.

It is also an offense punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years if a person enters another person's name and identity card number.

Therefore, you should not enter incorrect information when entering institutions or accessing services, warned DIG Ajith Rohana.