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Economic activity crawls back from hibernation
Small businesses coming back to life in Colombo (above and below) Pix by Sameera Weerasekera
Public and private sector economic activity is limping back to normalcy, now that coronavirus containment restrictions in Colombo and Gampaha districts are being eased.
In the rest of the country where the curfew is lifted during day, the situation should further improve.
At operations that are allowed to open, Public Health Inspectors are checking on social distancing, face masks, and other virus preventive measures.
“We are only permitted to do hair cutting, colouring and certain other services. As beauticians we are following all the health measures advised by officials,” Sri Lanka Association of Hairdressers and Beauticians president, Nayana Karunaratne told the Sunday Times.
“After receiving the approval from the PHI only can we open the salon. After the salons are opened health officials will further monitor them,’’ she said.
She said maintaining social distancing is challenging. “It is a bit hard because we have to get close to our customer to provide the service.’’
Ms Karunaratne claimed that it is the salon owners and beauticians who are more exposed to the virus, rather than customers.
M. G. Upul Rohana, president of the Public Health Inspectors Association of Sri Lanka (PHIASL) said public and private sector workers have resumed work.
Private sector workers can cross into other districts by showing their office identification to the police. “We have advised people to maintain a minimum number of staff in their institutions. All the sectors will be monitored every two days,’’ he said.
“Still we have not been authorised to allow restaurants, gyms, and educational institutions.’’
The owner of the Style clothing centre, Santha Karunathilake, said: “We have kept hand sanitisers in accessible places for staff and customers. Sometimes multiple sanitisers are being used. To be fair, it would be exceedingly difficult to maintain the one-metre distance due to the structure of our building. We are managing so far, and we are not allowing people to try on clothes.’’
Meanwhile, except in the high risk districts of Colombo and Gampaha, public transport for regular passengers has begun. But three wheelers and taxi services can only take two passengers at a time.
The chairman of All Island Three Wheel Drivers’ and Owners’ Association Sudhil Jayaruk, said as advised by health officials, three-wheelers are running except in Colombo and Gampaha.
W.D. Indika Nishantha, 41, a three-wheel driver, said passengers are hard to come by because many are using their own vehicles. “Transporting only two passengers is a loss for us. For many people following the health precautions is a new experience, but we are trying our best to adapt.’’
Rajitha Galabadaarachchi, 28, a site engineer, said everyone must wear masks and keep their distance. “We are keeping people as safe as possible, but sometimes it’s difficult during the day time to work wearing masks.’’
Food outlets were allowed to sell food, or accept telephone orders.
“We are awaiting permission to open our restaurants though few people turn up and buy food. People are still reluctant to eat out,’’ said Shanil Jayasekara, a restaurant owner from Borella.