Declaration of curfew only as last resort: Minister Keheliya

The Government has declared that the declaration of a curfew to control the COVID-19 situation will be taken only as a last resort.

Cabinet spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told the post cabinet news conference that only of it is really essential that a curfew will be declared.

“We cannot rule out that option, but it will all depend on what the people do”, Mr Rambukwella said.

Co-Cabinet spokesman Dr Ramesh Pathirana told the briefing that recommendations by the health authorities will be taken into consideration regarding a lockdown.

Their comments came in the wake of health authorities also calling for a lockdown given an increase of COVID19 cases. Several medical associations and the public too have called for travel restrictions.

Meanwhile the government has announced further restrictions to control the spread of the virus with effect from midnight today (10). Among the decisions is the limitation of guests at weddings to 50. Inter-provincial travel restrictions are strictly to remain except for essential services and official duty, Army Commander announced.