STRICT GUIDELINES TO BE ISSUED ON MAINTAINING SERVICES AFTER OCT.1: ARMY CHIEF

53% of total population vaccinated

Arrangements will be made to re-open the country after October 1 and the necessary guidelines are being finalised presently

The new guidelines would be announced within the next 48 hours

All arrangements will be made to re-open the country after October 1 and the necessary guidelines are being finalised presently, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said yesterday.

General Silva told Daily Mirror that authorities will announce the guidelines and restrictions on how to maintain health, public transport, agriculture, public service and the private sector after lifting the quarantine curfew on Friday.

The Commander said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had directed all relevant authorities to submit recommendations in this regard in the next few days. General Silva said that the new guidelines would be announced within the next 48 hours.

The Commander also said that around 53% of the country's total population were now fully vaccinated and around 98% of the population over the age of 30 were fully vaccinated.

A report on the analysis of G.C.E. Ordinary Level results being handed over to Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardane .