Sri Lanka has extended the current island-wide quarantine curfew orders by a week, in a bid to curb the soaring COVID-19 figures in the country prompted by the rapid spread of the Delta variant.

Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella tweeted that the extended quarantine curfew orders are effective until 4.00 am on the 06th of September (Monday).

He urged the members of the public to continue to work from home and to abide by the curfew orders while refraining from unnecessary travel.

“The current #COVID19SL curfew will continue till Monday 4am (06/09). Following an observation that #lka citizens have not taken the curfew to heart, in order for this to be effective, I implore again to refrain from unnecessary travel, work from home & abide by the curfew.”

The minister went on to stress that the lockdown is a government directive. He said it is not meant to be enforced by armed forces patrolling the streets to arrest those who break curfew.

It is a social responsibility that all Sri Lankan citizens need to take to heart and adhere to, Minister Rambukwella pointed out, adding that no progress can be made without cooperation.

The decision to extend the quarantine curfew was taken during the meeting of the Special Committee on COVID-19 Control convened under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa this morning (August 27).

The ten-day island-wide quarantine curfew imposed on August 20 was set to be lifted at 04.00 am on August 30.

The current #COVID19SL curfew will continue till Monday 4am (06/09). Following an observation that #lka citizens have not taken the curfew to heart, in order for this to be effective, I implore again to refrain from unnecessary travel, work from home & abide by the curfew.

— Keheliya Rambukwella (@Keheliya_R) August 27, 2021

The #lockdown is a government directive. It is not meant to be enforced by armed forces patrolling the streets to arrest those who break curfew. It is a social responsibility that all #lka citizens need to take to heart and adhere to. Zero progress without cooperation. #StayHome

— Keheliya Rambukwella (@Keheliya_R) August 27, 2021