The Government has not made any plans as of now to enforce a nationwide lockdown but will isolate areas where a high number of COVID-19 patients are detected.

Reports were circulated on social media yesterday of the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Head Gen. Shavendra Silva requesting the public to stock up on essentials due to the possibility of a lockdown.

However, the NOCPCO Head clarified that the Government had no intention of a nationwide lockdown.

“As of now, we have no intention for the entire country to go for a lockdown. There is no such situation and we are not expecting to do such a thing as of now. However, we have isolated certain Grama Niladhari Divisions or maybe even police areas without giving much notice,” he said.

Gen. Shavendra Silva explained that during phase one, persons were given prior notice before an area was isolated, thus allowing them to make necessary preparations. However, due to the fast spreading nature of the COVID-19 variant detected in Sri Lanka, isolation is being imposed without giving people in the area advanced notice.

It was for this reason that he was asking the public to be prepared.

The NOCPCO stated that six Grama Niladhari (GN) Divisions in three districts were isolated from 6 a.m. yesterday.

This includes the Wellawaya Urban Council Area GN Division, Weherayaya GN Division and Kottamgambokka GN Division in the Wellawaya Police Division and the Rahathangama GN Division in the Buttala Police Division of the Monaragala District.

The Kumarigama GN Division in the Uhana Police Division of the Ampara District and the Alugolla GN Division in the Naula Police Division of the Matale District are also under isolation.

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