Door-to-Door delivery service of essentials during curfew

With districts of Colombo, Gampaha and Kaluthara have been identified as high risk zones and under indefinite curfew currently in view of the spread of COVID-19, a door to door delivery system is to be introduced from today onwards in order to provide vegetables and other essential items to households, President Media Division said. 

The move was taken after large crowds in shops had been observed after curfew was lifted yesterday in three districts. Health officials fear that this in turn could lead to a wider and faster spread of the virus.

Accordingly, the government has directed wholesale dealers to deliver essential consumer goods to the doorstep of each household until the situation is brought under control. Sathosa, Keells, Laugfs, Arpico, Food City, Araliya, Nipuna and other wholesale dealers will be involved in this operation. Providing these essential consumer goods such as food, medicine, gas and other services will commence from today onwards.

To ensure the smooth operation of delivering essential consumer goods to each household, a special task force has been established under the leadership of Basil Rajapaksa. The task force would be Secretaries to the Ministries, Government Agents, Divisional Secretaries and other relevant officers.

The curfew in the three districts that have been identified as high risk zones will continue until further notice. However, lorries, vans, three-wheelers and motorcycles that would be used for delivery will be permitted on the roads during this curfew period.