As the Government takes steps to resume some of the day-to-day activities of civilian life tomorrow (11) by easing the lockdown in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam, the Governor of the Western Province Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke said now it is the ‘public call’.
“We expect 30 per cent of the workforce to be in operation with strict social distancing,” Goonetileke said.
The country is under an island-wide curfew since March. Civilian life in areas other than Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam later resumed when the lockdown was eased from 5.am to 8pm on week days. This is the first time the four districts will open since the curfew was imposed.
Western Province Governor Goonetileke urged the public to adhere to quarantine procedures such as, social distancing, because “it is their call to make it possible,” he said.
In Puttalam, people are getting used to the curfew and have begun to resume some of their day to day activities. At least two per cent of the usual traffic was seen, and workers are reporting for duty with curfew passes. Fishing and farming also continued in these areas unhindered.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Ajith Rohana said civilians should strictly adhere to the last digit of the National Identity Card rule when leaving the house to purchase essential items. This applies to everyone other than those who are employed.
DIG Rohana said other than leaving the house for essential work civilians should always stay at home.
A Gazette notification is expected to be published soon on quarantine procedures. It will include strict measures against those found violating curfew regulations.
Police media said people reporting to work and those stepping out of the house to purchase essential goods according to the last digit of their NIC can use their private vehicles, while train and bus services will also resume.
(Sunday Observer)