Quarantine curfew, which has been enforced for over a month, will be lifted at 4 a.m. tomorrow.

According to National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Head Gen. Shavendra Silva, health guidelines and restrictions that will come into place following the lifting of the quarantine curfew will be announced in due course.

“We plan on continuing restrictions on public gatherings and festivals for some time. Detailed information on this will be issued [today or tomorrow],” Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena said.

Imposed on 20 August, quarantine curfew across the island has been extended several times due to a rise in COVID-19 detections. However, with detections remaining below 1,000 for three days in a row, quarantine curfew is due to be lifted tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) yesterday stated the country must be reopened in a scientific and systematic manner. According to SLMA President Dr. Padma Gunaratne, recommendations prepared by the SLMA on COVID-19 control have been handed over to the Government.

“Compared to the week before, last week saw a drop of 50% in COVID-19 detections and a 32% drop in deaths,” Dr. Gunaratne said, adding that the country must take all necessary steps to prevent another wave from occurring.

She added that it would be better if inter-provincial travel restrictions remain in place.

“Of the deaths that occur in Sri Lanka, 80% are over the age of 60 and, of this, 52% are not vaccinated and 29% have only received one dose. Only 19% of persons with both doses have died,” the SLMA President said, adding that 52% of the country’s total population have received both vaccine doses. This is 79% of the over-20 population, she said, adding that it is important that 100% second dose coverage is achieved in this population.

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