President decides not to relax travel restrictions until 7 June

• Says essential items to be supplied via mobile truck service
• Vaccination program to continue uninterrupted

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has decided not to relax travel restrictions until 7 June. 

The decision was taken by the President at a meeting with the Special Committee on COVID-19 Control yesterday.

Initially it was decided to relax travel restrictions on three selected days during the travel-restricted period for the convenience of the public. 

However, a statement from President’s Media Office said the conduct of the people on 25 May when restrictions were relaxed proved that it would lead to a further spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

The President highlighted that the Government’s efforts to contain the pandemic could be jeopardised through this.

The President instructed the authorities to suspend the decision taken to relax the travel restrictions on 31 May and 4 June and to distribute essential items to the public through a mobile truck service during this travel-restricted period.

Only the personnel who are engaged in essential services are permitted to leave their homes for their duties during the travel-restricted period. It is mandatory to keep in possession a letter issued by the place of employment calling for duty and the service ID at all times when travelling. 

The President noted that was is the responsibility of the people as well to help the Government’s efforts to contain this pandemic.

The President has advised the medical sector to administer the second dose of Sinopharm vaccine after a month (8 June) at the same location where the people received their first jab on 8 May.

The President also emphasised the need for the vaccination program to continue in a systematic manner in the districts which have been identified and prioritised by the health sector.

Ministers Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Gamini Lokuge, Bandula Gunawardana, Keheliya Rambukwella, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Johnston Fernando, Prasanna Ranatunga, Rohitha Abeygunawardena and Namal Rajapaksa, State Ministers Sudarshani Fernandopulle and Channa Jayasumana, MP Madhura Withanage, Senior Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretaries to the Ministries, Commanders of the three Armed Forces and the heads of the health sector were also present at the meeting.