PMD issues clarification on curfew schedule

The President’s Media Division on Monday (04) issued a clarification on the curfew schedule.

Accordingly, the curfew will be effective in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam until further notice.

In the rest of the districts, curfew will be in force from 8.00 pm to 5.00 am from Monday (04) to Wednesday (06). The curfew which will be re-imposed for these districts at 8.00 pm on Wednesday will be in force until 5.00 am on May 11.

Clarifying further, the PMD said, the four districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam will resume civilian life and begin office work while curfew is still in force Monday, the May 11.

Although this plan was scheduled to be implemented from May 04, it was extended May 11 due to the holidays falling this week, the PMD added. 

In the meantime, both public and private sector entities in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam districts should re-commence their work from May 11th.

Heads of each institute have already had been instructed to work out a plan based on their service requirements, says the PMD.

They also should ensure strict adherence to the prescribed health guidelines issued to control the spread of COVID-19 virus while carrying out their operations.

The private sector entities are requested to open for work at 10.00 am daily.

The responsibility to decide who should come to office work and their number lies with the Head of each organization.

Buses belonging to Sri Lanka Transport Board and railway carriages can only transport employees of both public and private sectors who are reporting for work 

Civilians, except those who are essentially required to report to work, have been requested to remain in their homes as a measure to control the disease.

People are allowed to leave their homes only to purchase essential items such as food and medicines.

Accordingly, people living in areas where the curfew is in force are permitted to leave their homes based on the last digit of the NIC and from Monday, May 11th and this regulation does not apply to curfew-relaxed areas, the PMD noted.

“The government expects the public will refrain from gathering unnecessarily by following above guidelines even when the curfew is lifted,” the release read further.

The revival of the economy and the resumption of civilian life will take place while curfew regulations are effective and controlling unnecessary congregation of people as a measure to prevent the spread of the disease is a prime objective of this mechanism.

Conditions included in previous announcements regarding the above matter remain unchanged, the PMD continued.