• Likelihood of public servants reverting to WFH; revised guidelines issued on weddings
• Friday’s COVID cases highest since 6 June

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

Amidst the rise in COVID cases, the Government yesterday avoided a lockdown or introduction of travel restrictions but tightened few other rules to lessen public interaction. 

The National Operations Centre for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) yesterday announced that revisions had been made to the guidelines on gathering, but did not announce movement restrictions as requested by several medical organisations.

According to NOCPCO Head Gen. Shavendra Silva, State functions will be postponed until 1 September and the attendance of public officers must be decided by the heads of the organisation.

“Taking into account the current COVID-19 situation in the country, revisions have been made to the permission granted to hold weddings and other events. It has been decided that if the seating capacity of the venue in which the wedding or festival is being held exceeds 500, the maximum number of participants is 150 but if the venue’s seat capacity is less than 500, the maximum number of participants is 100,” Gen. Silva said.

He added that only 25 persons will be permitted at a funeral at any given time.

Health authorities yesterday confirmed 2,794 more persons tested positive for COVID-19, making the figure highest since the 6 June amount of 2,976 cases. 

 

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