Lockdown further extended till Oct 1

• Essential services impacting the economy allowed to function
• DMT and Land Registry to operate on a limited scale

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

The quarantine curfew currently in place will be effective till 4 am on October 1, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

 The decision was taken by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 meeting held yesterday.

 During the meeting, it was decided that government essential services impacting the economy will however be allowed to function and conditions will be notified soon.

 “As per instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, I will be consulting with Basil Rajapaksa to decide which government institutions will be kept open as essential services that contribute to the economy,” Minister Rambukwella said.

 Meanwhile, the President has instructed authorities to inoculate children between age 15 to 19 with Pfizer vaccines, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

 He said that the President has also instructed to vaccinate the children above 12 years with special needs with the Pfizer vaccines.

 The Commander said around 50,000 children with special needs will be inoculated accordingly at their clinic.
 General Silva said Sri Lanka will receive the Pfizer vaccine in the coming weeks in addition to more Chinese Sinopharm vaccines.

During the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 meeting, it was decided to allow the Department of Motor Traffic and the Land Registry to operate on a limited scale.

The discussion also focused on the opening of rural schools soon.

• President has instructed authorities to inoculate children between age 15 to 19 with Pfizer vaccines