COLOMBO : The Health Ministry yesterday issued a revised timeline for the resumption of activities until 31 October, which categorizes activities as normal operations, restricted operations, higher restrictions, and no operation.
According to the guidelines, education centres (daycare, preschools, schools, higher education institutions and tuition classes), indoor and outdoor parties and events, public gatherings, cinemas, theatres, carnivals, musical shows, beach parties, pubs, bars, casinos, nightclubs, betting centres, spas, day rooms and home stays will not be permitted to operate.
Public transport, private taxi services, economic centres, weddings and funerals, gyms, hotels, and wine and liquor stores, and several other services will be permitted to operate at 50% capacity and strict adherence to physical distancing, respiratory etiquette, hand washing, and face masks (DREAM).
Supermarkets, shopping malls, financial institutions, open markets and fairs, bakeries, furniture, electrical and hardware stores, and laundromats will be permitted to operate at 75% capacity and strict adherence to DREAM.
Meanwhile, service delivery, agriculture based private sector offices, street vendors, filling stations, construction sites, health services, boarding houses, walkways, beaches, and take away/delivery restaurants will be permitted to operate as usual with strong adherence to DREAM. While a detailed timeline is available on the Health Ministry website, Acting Director General of Health Services Dr. S. Sridharan yesterday asked the public to refrain from organising, promoting, and conducting any event that forms a public gathering, like exhibitions, large conferences, parties, indoor and outdoor events, carnivals, musical shows, and processions.
