Sri Lanka has extended the current island-wide quarantine curfew orders by a week, in a bid to curb the increasing COVID-19 figures in the country prompted by the rapid spread of the Delta variant. Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella tweeted that the extended quarantine curfew orders are effective until 4.00 am on the 06th of September. He urged the members of the public to continue to work from home and to abide by the curfew orders while refraining from unnecessary travel.

Army Commander General Shavendra Silva says that essential and other services which are currently functioning will be permitted to continue until the quarantine curfew is lifted. The decision had been taken by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the meeting of the Special Committee on COVID-19 Control which convened at the Presidential Secretariat this morning. He said Curfew passes will not be required for those engaged in essential services including apparel, industries, and agricultural activities during the quarantine curfew. The Commander said essential services, other sectors and those who report for duties are allowed to operate while pharmacies will remain open during the quarantine curfew period. General Silva said the vaccination program will also continue and urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel and adhere with health instructions to prevent the further spread of Covid-19.