Inter-provincial bus and train services suspended until Aug 1

The COVID committee today decided to suspend all inter-provincial bus and train services until August 1 from tomorrow, Transport State Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

The decision was taken at the COVID committee meeting held today, he said.

Earlier, inter-provincial buses and trains were operated to facilitate the people to commute for essential services. But it was found that more people other than the essential service attendees were using the transport services disregarding health guidelines.

The State Minister said permission was granted to operate a limited number of buses and trains between provinces only to facilitate essential service workers.

Nevertheless, it will only a limited number of buses and trains be operated again from August 1. 

"The COVID committee said that the COVID vaccination programme for people who are above 30 years of age would be completed by August 1 and that will help control the transmitting of the new COVID variants outside Colombo," the State Minister said.

Accordingly, the limited bus services operated so far will be suspended from tomorrow, he said. If the inter-provincial transport services continue, there would be a possibility of emerging the fourth wave of the COVID virus. If that is so, the country won't be able to fully open again and we cannot pin the hope of reopening schools, the State Minister added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)