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The Government yesterday announced a fresh set of relief measures, including extensions on payment of taxes, personal loans, leases and credit card bills, as Sri Lanka remained finely poised in its fight against COVID-19, with the count of patients under treatment rising to 95 but authorities also readying to release about 350 people who were initially quarantined a fortnight ago today.
The National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 giving its daily update said that the number of people under quarantine had increased to 3,518 in the 45 centres but only 31 of them had been diagnosed with COVID-19.
As those who had first been placed under quarantine, earlier this month, had completed their mandatory two-week quarantine, they will be released today. The decision to release about 350 of those who had completed their quarantine came as the first Sri Lankan COVID-19 patient, who was identified as a tour guide, was released from the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) after being cured, officials said.
“Since their quarantine period has been completed, about 350 people will be released today after undergoing a medical examination. Even though they are being released, they will be given strict guidelines on how to behave once they return home. They will be encouraged to maintain proper social distance from those around them and remain in touch with medical professionals. The people living near them should not be afraid; those being released did the responsible thing by voluntarily following quarantine regulations. They have now been cleared to return to their homes,” Army Commander Lt. Gen Shavendra Silva, who is the Head of the National Operations Centre, said in a pre-recorded statement released to media.
The Government also announced fresh relief measures including an extended deadline till 30 April for payment of Income Tax, VAT, driving license renewal and for water and electricity bill less than Rs. 15,000.
The statement released by the President’s Media Division also said a grace period of six months has been given for lease payments of three-wheelers. A 15% interest rate will be charged on credit cards for domestic transactions up to Rs. 50,000 and the minimum monthly charge will be reduced by 50%. Repayment of personal loans below Rs. 1 million from banks and financial institutions has been suspended for three months.
A moratorium on loan instalments until 30 May 2020 from salaries of all public and private (except boards of directors) sector employees was also included in the list.
Others included the March trainee allowance of Rs. 20,000 being paid to all graduates selected for public employment, a decision to double the Agrahara Insurance benefits for all health, police, civil defence and all Government servants engaged in controlling the spread of the COVID-19, and to provide interest free loans of Rs. 10,000 to Samurdhi recipients and Samurdhi card holders through all Samurdhi Bank Associations.
The Samurdhi Authority will also issue title certificates to Samurdhi and low income families immediately for issuing nutritional food items to low income families. They should be provided with rice, lentils, onions and food cards on weekly basis, the PMD statement said.
Sri Lanka Ports, Customs and other related institutions have been ordered to release food and other essentials such as fertilisers, medicines and fuel without any delay. A decision has also been made to exempt Lanka Sathosa and Co-operative shops from VAT and other local taxes and charges.
The statement also contained the decision to give a six-month debit moratorium to tourism, garment and small and medium industries and for Central Bank of Sri Lanka to re-evaluate their finances, which was announced earlier.
The Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank, National Savings Bank, Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, Employees Provident Fund and Employees Trust Fund are to jointly invest in the Treasury bonds and bills to stabilise the money market at 7% interest rate.
The Government also declared a special fund to fight COVID-19. A special bank account has been opened at the Bank of Ceylon for tasks related to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and for providing the necessary healthcare and relief measures.
For this purpose Rs. 100 million had been deposited from the President’s Fund. Tax and foreign exchange control restrictions have been lifted for all local and foreign donors who wish to contribute to this fund, the statement added.
The Sri Lankan Government also committed $ 5 million to the SAARC CORVID-19 Emergency Fund yesterday.
Authorities also reiterated the guidelines announced on Monday ahead of curfew being lifted in Colombo, Gampaha, Puttulam and several districts in the north today, calling on the public to adhere to maintaining a distance of at least one metre between each other.
Health Services Direct General Dr. Anil Jasinghe also appealed to places of business including shops and banks to serve their customers even if they are not wearing face masks.
“At this point the most important thing is to ensure people are given the support that they need. Sri Lanka has no prevalence of community-spread COVID-19 and therefore it is not essential to wear face masks. If people have access to face masks that is fine, but shops and banks can also ensure protection by maintaining the appropriate distance from their customers. We urge institutions to come up with their own prevention systems, infusing our guidelines, and ensure that it is adaptable to the situation at hand.”
Dr. Jasinghe also added that in case of an emergency situation, health professionals who may be unable to reach their usual place of work should instead divert to the nearest hospital with beds to provide their services. He also noted that 11 COVID-19 patients had been identified from Kalutara and encouraged people living in the area to be additionally careful.
He also said the Homagama Hospital had been converted into a facility dedicated to treating COVID-19 patients. Under this measure patients suspected of having COVID-19 will be sent to the Homagama Hospital from Awissawella, Padukka, Kosgama, Horana, Athurigiriya, Nawagamuwa, and Karawanella. Patients showing symptoms could also be admitted directly to the Homagama Hospital.
