Carrying vaccination cards mandatory from Sept. 15

No lockdown

There would be no countrywide lockdown, State Minister Channa Jayasumana said yesterday following a meeting held between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

“It was also decided to expedite the vaccination of those over 60. We will also decide whether we need to give a third dose to frontline workers,” he said.

Prof. Jayasumana said the President had also instructed officials to pay special attention to those who were over 60 and were suffering from chronic diseases. Most of those who had died during the past few days were from the Western Province.

“We must also give priority to those over 60 when conducting PCR and rapid antigen tests,” he said.

Army commander, General Shavendra Silva said at the meeting that inter-provincial travel restrictions would be further tightened from midnight yesterday (13).

“The Army Commander said that inter-provincial public transport services would be suspended. Only those in the banking, agricultural, apparel, ports and tourism sectors as well as those engaged in essential services will be allowed to travel across provinces,” he said.

From September 15, people visiting public places would have to carry their vaccination cards, Prof. Jayasumana added.