No lockdown during the long weekend: Army Commander

During the upcoming long weekend there will be no lock down despite the threat of the spread of COVID-19, Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva said today.

However, the Army Commander addressing a special media conference along with health officials called the public to refrain from travelling for unimportant events.

He called the public to take all health precautions, including the wearing of masks.

"We urge the people to be very cautious in the next three to four weeks as the situation can be critical",  the Army Commander said. 

The warning came amidst fresh reports that the COVID-19 virus was now airborne.

Prof Neelika Malavige told the news conference that it is important to keep the face masks on always as COVID-19 was now found to be airborne,

“If a person speaks at a location without a mask and leaves the location, a person who comes there within one and half hours can be infected with the virus,” Prof Malavige said.

The latest report released by 'The Lancet', the highest medical journal in the world revealed there is strong evidence that SARS-Cov-2 spreads by airborne transmission.

The Army Commander said that they have called the organiser of the car and horse races in Nuwara Eliya scheduled over the weekend to refrain from conducting such events as it could pose a health risk.