Sri Lanka resumes economic activities in capital amid curfew

Colombo: Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo resumed economic activities on Monday after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced that public and private sector employees could re-start work after over a month since a curfew was declared on March 20 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Police said although a curfew would continue in Colombo and on the outskirt of Gampaha, the public could re-start work in order to get the economy back on track. Thousands of Police and military personnel were deployed in Colombo and on the outskirts to ensure health guidelines are maintained while public transport such as trains and buses are available only to transport employees to work. Police said employees had to produce some proof of employment to the law officers and to transport workers before boarding trains and buses.

Offices were also urged to maintain strict health guidelines and operate under limited staff while the others were told to remain indoors due to the curfew. Supermarkets and grocery stores also re-opened to the public for them to purchase essential items while restaurants, cinemas and shopping malls would remain closed until further notice. Banks also resumed normal operations, Police said.

In several areas across Colombo, medical workers were seen checking body temperatures and urging employees to wash their hands before entering their workplaces.