Covid curfew may be lifted from Oct 1 but restrictions to be imposed

The Government is likely to lift the current lockdown on October 1 with strict regulations in place, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday.

Despite plans to open the country, 79 COVID-19 related deaths were reported yesterday with the total number of deaths in the country increasing to 12,609.

According to the COVID-19 vaccination monitoring portal at the Presidential Secretariat website, more than eleven million people have received their vaccines so far. Vaccination for the 20-30 age group is currently underway across the country. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 Control Special Committee chaired by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa on Friday decided to devise a comprehensive plan based on health recommendations and restrictions to be imposed on reopening the country with the lifting of the curfew.

Under the guidance of the Health Ministry and the health specialists committees, the Ministry of Public Administration will issue recommendations on how to maintain services in the public sector. The Ministry of Transport will issue recommendations with regard to public transport and the Ministry of Labour will issue recommendations on how to maintain services in the private sector, the Committee said in a statement.

By yesterday, the total number of active cases remain at 45,856 with 1,146 fresh cases reported. So far in total 512,518 cases were reported while 453,689 people were recovered and were discharged.