No decision on islandwide lockdown, but provincial travel restrictions possible - Army Commander

Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), Army Commander General Shavendra Silva says that no decision has been taken regarding an islandwide lockdown.

He therefore requested the public not to panic or rush to shops, supermarkets etc. and to refrain from forming long queues to stock food or essential items.

However, the Army Commander stated that travel restrictions could be imposed within the next few days preventing travel between provinces.

Speaking to Ada Derana, he said that there is a possibility that provincial travel restrictions would be imposed considering the spike in Covid-19 infections and the manner in which people travel to various areas.

He stated that it is most likely that entering and exiting the Western Province would be prohibited except for essential services and essential workers, in the coming days.

In particular, a series of instructions is expected to be issued in the future to somewhat extend the time period where people can buy groceries and other goods and shops so that the people of the country can go at any time and get the groceries without congregating in a shop, he said.

The Army Commander especially requested the public to avoid traveling between districts for unnecessary reasons. As the coronavirus is rapidly spreading at this moment, steps are to be taken in the next few days to reduce the risk of it spreading from one province to another, he said.