Lockdown in select areas of Colombo, Gampaha districts lifted

Monday, 23 November 2020 02:29 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

  • 391 new COVID-19 cases  raise total to  over 20,000
  • Four new COVID-19 deaths bring total to 87

The Government yesterday announced the lifting of lockdown or isolation measures in several areas within the Colombo and Gampaha districts, while 391 test positive yesterday, bringing the total count to over 20,000.

The total number of COVID-19 deaths also increased to 87 with the identification of four more COVID-19 related deaths.

The National Operations Center for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said travel restrictions imposed on six Police divisions in the Colombo and Gampaha districts will be lifted from 5 a.m. today. 

Accordingly, the travel restrictions imposed on the Borella, Wellampitiya, Fort and Slave Island Police divisions in the Colombo District will be lifted from 5 a.m.

However, the Wanathamulla Grama Niladhari Division of the Borella Police Division and Wekanda Grama Niladhari Division in Slave Island will remain isolated until further notice.

Apart from the above Police divisions in the Colombo District, the following isolated 13 Police divisions will remain as isolated areas: Mattakkuliya, Modara, Bloemendal, Kotahena, Grandpass, Coastal, Aduruppu Street, Maligawatte, Dematagoda, Keselwatta, Maradana, Pettah and Dam Street.

In Gampaha District only Ja-Ela and Kadawatha Police divisions has been released from travel restrictions at 5 a.m. today. Isolated Police divisions of Negombo, Ragama, Wattala, Peliyagoda and Kelaniya will remain isolated.

The following Grama Niladhari Divisions belong to the Bandaragama Police division in the Kalutara District are designated as isolated areas with immediate effect.

  •  Bogahawatta Grama Niladhari Division
  •  Bamunumulla (Muslim) Grama Niladhari Division
  •  Kirimanthudawa Grama Niladhari Division
  •  Korawala Grama Niladhari Division
  •  Atulugama West Grama Niladhari Division
  •  Bamunumulla Grama Niladhari Division
  •  Galagahamandiya Grama Niladhari Division

The Government also announced schools except in Western Province and isolated can reopen for third term from today adhering to maximum hygiene practices. Ministry of Education Secretary Prof. Kapila C. Perera said islandwide schools will be reopened except in the Western Province and other isolated areas as per a planned decision, and instructions have been received from the Coronavirus Suppression Task Force and the Health Department.

Out of the total 10,165 schools in Sri Lanka, all schools except the 1,356 schools in the Western Province which has been severely affected by the COVID-19 epidemic will be reopened today for the third term for Grades 6-13.

State Minister of Bus Transport Services Dilum Amunugama said a special program has been prepared to transport students by buses in the areas where schools will commence from tomorrow.

The Police requests the drivers to abide by the guidelines introduced when transporting school children.

The Ministry of Education has decided to grant the third term of school vacation in advance for the safety of school children due to the prevailing health situation.

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