(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – It has been decided to extend the current quarantine curfew until 4 am on September 21st, President’s Media Division announced.
The decision was taken at the meeting of the Special Committee on COVID-19 Control held through online technology under the chair of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday morning (10).
The progress of the vaccination program and the future course of action were discussed primarily. Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, a member of the Covid Committee, said 120,000 doses of Sputnik vaccine required for the second dose are expected to be received within the next week.
Health officials pointed out that a high percentage of deaths from Covid-19 are in the 60s and most of them had not received even a single dose.
Therefore, the President emphasized the need to continue the implementation of the mobile vaccination program and provide vaccinations to those over 60 years of age who are unable to come for vaccination and who are suffering from various diseases.
The President said that those who are reluctant should be encouraged to get the vaccine.
Vegetable farmers have been severely affected by the inability to release their produce to the market on a daily basis. Due to this it was decided to keep all the economic centers in the island open.
The impact of closure of the schools in 2020 and 2021 on the loss of primary education to nearly 700,000 children and the pre-school education to a similar number of children was discussed.
There are more than 3,000 schools in rural areas with less than 100 students. Accordingly, a technical committee consisting of health and education officials was tasked with making an expeditious recommendation first on the feasibility of opening such schools.
Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, Keheliya Rambukwella, Bandula Gunawardena, Dullas Alahapperuma, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Johnston Fernando, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Ramesh Pathirana, Namal Rajapaksa, State Ministers Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Sisira Jayakody, Channa Jayasumana, MP Madhura Withanage, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Health Secretary Major General (Dr) Sanjeewa Munasinghe, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, the Commanders of the three Armed Forces, the Inspector General of Police and the members of the Special Committee on COVID-19 Control and the Provincial Directors of Health Services were also present.
