Sri Lanka: Authorities adjust curfews in Colombo and Gampaha districts Dec. 7 /update 36

Event

Sri Lankan authorities have modified curfew areas in Colombo and Gampaha districts Dec. 7 as part of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Current areas under curfew include:

• Colombo District: Aduruppu Street, Dam Street, Dematagoda, Grandpass, Keselwatta, Kotahena, Maligawatta, Maradana, Modara areas; Hata Watta in Cinnamon Gardens; Ferguson Road, Randiya Uyana Housing Scheme in Mattakkuliya; Hunupitiya and Wekanda Grama Niladhari Divisions in Slave Island; Salamulla Grama Niladhari Division and Laksandha Sevana Housing Scheme in Wellampitiya; Kokila Road in Wellawatte
  

• Gampaha District: Welegoda-North Grama Niladhari Division in Kiribathgoda; Gangabada, Pattiya-North, Peliyagoda, Peliyagodawatta, and Meegahawatta Grama Niladhari Divisions in Peliyagoda; Evariwatta, Hekiththa, Kerawalapitiya, Kurunduhena, and Welikadamulla Grama Niladhari Divisions in Wattala

Additional neighborhoods could be designated as high risk in the coming days. Under curfew restrictions imposed in designated high-risk areas, all nonessential businesses except for permitted industries must close. Officials may mandate authorized employers to arrange transport and accommodation facilities for on-site workers in curfew areas. Essential shops such as pharmacies and grocery shops may open intermittently or provide delivery services. Residents must stay home except for emergency and essential purposes. Authorities are barring entry and exit to the areas until further notice; those employed in the regions may not return to their homes in noncurfew areas. Officials advise those living in or with travel history to curfew areas to monitor their health and undergo COVID-19 tests if symptoms occur.

Authorities are also maintaining nationwide measures in noncurfew areas. The use of facemasks remains mandatory in public. Only two people per household may exit homes each day unless for essential or authorized employment purposes. Nonessential interdistrict travel is banned. Authorities allow public and private hire transport to operate in noncurfew areas with 75-percent and 50-percent passenger capacity, respectively. Recreational venues such as casinos, nightclubs, spas, cinema halls, museums, and zoos remain closed until further notice. Religious sites may admit a maximum of 25 people at any one time.

Retail spaces and hospitality venues, such as hotels and dine-in restaurants, must not exceed 50-percent capacity at any time; pubs and bars must limit entry to a maximum of 25-percent capacity. Schools may only operate for examinations; daycare and preschools are functioning at 50-percent capacity. Most public gatherings are banned; weddings and funerals may occur in noncurfew areas with up to 50 and 25 guests, respectively. All workplaces must use telecommuting to the extent possible or ensure health precautions are in place if on-site work is required. Officials have directed all private and public organizations to collect and update employee details to facilitate contact tracing if and when necessary. Authorities may reintroduce or implement stricter measures, especially in designated high-risk areas, depending on in-country cases. Panic-buying and associated localized shortages of essential goods may occur in areas under curfew. Sporadic clashes are possible if any group defies official orders. Police are likely to act quickly to control such incidents, which could prompt localized security-related disruptions.

Travel Restrictions
Authorities have suspended the arrival of international commercial passenger flights, including inbound repatriation flights, until further notice. Limited flights may restart depending on local case numbers. Authorities have suspended the issuance of all visa types, including electronic, landing, multiple-entry, and residential, indefinitely; previously issued visas stand canceled. Foreign nationals with diplomatic, official, and service passports are exempt from the controls. Diplomatic personnel permitted to enter Sri Lanka must submit a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result taken within 72 hours of departure or undergo a PCR test upon arrival. Foreigners already in Sri Lanka may apply to extend their visas. Inbound passengers are allowed to transit through Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) as long as they have a connecting flight leaving within 12 hours of arrival. All outbound passengers must take reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests within 72 hours before departure.

CMB continues to serve cargo transport, emergency repatriation, passenger transit, and international departures. All international services at Jaffna International Airport (JAF), Sri Lanka's only other functional international airport, remain suspended. International passenger ships such as cruises and ferries are barred indefinitely, though port operations for goods transport can continue.

Context

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV). Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms include fever, fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, sometimes worsening to pneumonia and kidney failure - especially in those with underlying medical conditions. On March 11, the WHO declared the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure that contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Ministry of Health Sri Lanka