Work to resume today under strict health, security guidelines

By Sandun A. Jayasekera   

The civilian life and state and private sector activities in 23 districts where curfew will be lifted for 15 hours this morning and in the Colombo District and the Gampaha District will resume today under strict health and security guidelines issued by the health authorities, the Armed Forces and the Police.  

The curfew was in force in the 23 Districts since last Thursday (6) until lifting it at 5.00 am today while curfew remains unchanged round the clock in the Colombo and Gampaha Districts until further notice since March 24.   
In order to ensure a return to normalcy in civilian life and to revive the economy including the continuous provision of essential services in the country including the two districts where curfew is in force, both public and private sector entities will resume their work from today with offices in the state and private sector establishments expected to be opened at 10.00 am.   
The Presidential Media Division (PMD) announced that heads of private and state sector establishments are advised to make necessary arrangements taking into consideration the required number of employees to run their organisations.   
Head of each entity should ensure strict adherence to the guidelines issued by the Director General of Health Services and other health authorities to control the spread of Covid-19 while carrying out their operations. The responsibility to decide who should come to office work and their number lies with the head of each state organisation including Departments, Corporations and Boards, the PMD said.   

“The private sector entities are requested to open for work at 10.00 am daily. As a measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus the public must refrain from unnecessarily travelling and gathering at various other places. Buses belonging to Sri Lanka Transport Board and railway carriages can only transport employees who are reporting for work,” the PMD said.   Civilians except those who are essentially required to report to work are requested to remain in their homes. People are allowed to leave their homes only to purchase essential items such as food and medicines.  

• The private sector entities are requested to open for work at 10.00 am daily