People are not allowed to go out in the public during island-wide travel restriction period commencing tonight (May 13), even on basis of the last digit of their National Identity Card (NIC), Police Media Spokesperson said.

Island-wide travel restrictions are imposed from 11.00 pm tonight until 04.00 am on Monday (May 17).

People are only allowed to go out in the public for essential needs and to go to the hospital or to buy medicine, Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

All shops with the exception of pharmacies will be required to remain closed during this period, he said. Delivery services of pharmacies will be allowed to operate.

However, operations of essential services will be carried out as per usual.

After 04.00 am on Monday, people will be allowed to leave their homes for work or any other essential purposes based on the last digit of their NIC numbers.

Accordingly, those who have 0,2,4,6 and 8 as the last digit of their NIC will be allowed to leave their houses on Even Days. People with 1,3,5,7, and 9 as the last digit of their NIC will be permitted to move out on Odd Days.

In addition, a daily countrywide travel restriction is expected to be imposed between 11.00 pm and 04.00 am until the 31st of May, 2021. This will be in effect from Monday.