The Government yesterday extended the island-wide curfew until 6 April, as health authorities warned of a crucial period in the coming days.

Curfew was lifted early last morning in select parts of the country, to be enforced again at 2 p.m. on the same day, and will stay in effect till 6 April, the Presidential Media Unit said.

Curfew imposed on Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Jaffna and Puttalam Districts will remain until further notice, it added, pointing out that the six districts had been classified as high-risk areas for the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The public is reminded that travel between districts is strictly prohibited, and only essential services are allowed to pass through, with Police enforcing curfew regulations with the assistance of the armed forces.

The notice to villages in Kalutara and Kandy Districts, which were notified to remain in isolation, is still in effect, with none barring essential services allowed entry.

Govt. focuses on countering COVID-19 community spread, total cases at 146