The Director-General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena has issued an updated notice on relaxation of existing travel restrictions and permitted public activities.

Accordingly, existing travel restrictions will be further relaxed from today (July 10).

However, the restrictions to limit interprovincial movement will be effective for a period of another 14 days, the communiqué read further. 

Dr. Gunawardena noted that the level of permitted functions can be subjected to amendment depending on the epidemiological situation.

He appealed to the members of public to strictly comply with the guidelines issued for permitted levels of functions.

Meanwhile, all government and private institutions have been urged to be responsible to ensure that their functions are in accordance with the ‘new normalcy.’ They have been advised to continue operations with minimum staff for most essential functions. The head of the institution is authorized decide on the exceptions to be made.

As per the notice, places of worship in all districts are allowed to remain open now that the restrictions are eased further.

Wedding parties are permitted with the seating capacity limited to 25% or maximum 150 participants.

Funerals, except COVID-related deaths, should be held within 24 hours of release of the body from the hospital/inquirer into sudden deaths with maximum 50 participants.

Essential meetings will be allowed only with 25% of the seating capacity, the notice read further. Meanwhile, permission has been granted to hold conferences, seminars and brand launches with maximum 50 onsite participants.

Public transportation services are advised to operate island-wide with seating capacity limited to 50%, however, only 30% of the seating capacity is allowed within the Western Province.

Health officials have also decided to permit economic centres to carry out wholesale operations under strict health guidelines.

Meanwhile, mobile vendors, street vendors and retail shops, grocery shops, bakeries and pastry shops have also been authorized to function under health guidelines. Supermarkets will remain open with a maximum of 25% of the total customers that can be accommodated in the space available at a given time.

The DG of Health Services added that tailors and dress makers, communication/photocopy shops and other retail/service-related shops, furniture shops, laundry services, hardware shops, libraries, dining-in restaurants, spas, hotels and rest houses are allowed to operate under health guidelines.

Meanwhile, beauty salons and barber shops are permitted to continue services by appointments only.

Prisons and care homes will remain closed for visitors further.

With regard to sporting activities, Dr. Asela Gunawardena stated that group activities will not be given permission. However, individual training is allowed under the guidelines on sports and sporting events issued by the Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, gymnasiums, indoor sporting centres, swimming pools will remain open for the public during this period. Walkaways will also be opened, however, only for individual exercises.

The updated announcement on relaxation of travel restrictions and permitted public activities is produced below: