Health Ministry revises COVID guidelines

The Health Ministry has revised the health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The new guidelines will be in effect from March 1st to 31st. 

The revised guidelines have lifted some restrictions that were in effect previously. Accordingly, limited capacity restrictions imposed on restaurants, shops, groceries, supermarkets, vocational training institutes, banks, tuition classes, funerals and cinemas have been removed, though they must still take COVID-19 preventive measures. Earlier, shops, groceries and supermarkets could only have 50% of usual capacity at any given time while vocational training institutes and cinemas / theatres could only have 75% of usual capacity. 

Meanwhile, sports activities, where no spectators were permitted earlier, have been allowed to go ahead with the attendance of spectators while adhering to COVID-19 prevention guidelines. 

Limited capacity is still in effect for private gatherings, weddings and exhibitions with a maximum 75% of usual capacity of the hall while adhering to COVID-19 preventive measures. 

The public is still advised to avoid unnecessary travel out of the home and to strictly follow all continued practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 including hand hygiene, disinfecting commonly touched surfaces and wearing face masks in public.