The Health Ministry yesterday issued a set of new health guidelines to contain the rapidly spreading COVID-19 pandemic. The revised restrictions are effective till August 31.
According to the new guidelines, only one person per household is permitted to leave the house at any given time. The only exceptions are for purposes of work and for obtaining health services.
Public transport buses and trains are only allowed to transport seated passengers within the provincial limits. Private taxi services must ensure the maximum number of passengers is limited to seating capacity for cars and trishaws within the provincial limits.
All essential services such as electricity, water, telecommunication, petrol stations, LP gas stations, motor garages, tyre services and postal or courier services etc, are required to be provided with a minimum number of staff.
Government Offices and private sector offices are required to operate with a minimum number of staff and within the province. However, if the head of the institution decides, he or she can call staff from outside the province.
Dedicated Economic Centres (Arthika Madhyasthana) are open for wholesale business under strict health guidelines. Meetings, conferences, seminars and brand launches are not allowed.
Industries (Garments, agriculture, fisheries etc) and clothing and textile shops, tailors and dressmakers are allowed under strict health guidelines.
Supermarkets can operate with a maximum of 25 per cent of the total number of customers that could be accommodated in the space available. About 1.5 square metre walking space can be considered as adequate for one person.
The maximum number allowed should be displayed outside.
Shopping malls have been closed since yesterday. Financial institutions such as banks, finance companies, pawning centres etc. should only allow in a maximum of 10 percent of the total number of customers that could be accommodated in the space available.
Normal operations with strong adherence to health precautions are allowed for the agriculture industry, filling stations, and construction sites. A maximum of 10 can be allowed at a given time at a grocery store. Open markets and fairs, bakeries, beauty salons, electrical or hardware stores, laundry, furniture, communication or photocopy shops can operate with a maximum of 25 percent of the total number of customers that could be accommodated in the space available.
Street and mobile vendors will be supervised by local authorities.
No more than 25 per cent (inclusive of staff) of the capacity of a courthouse should be accommodated. No members of the public or prisoners should be present in or in the immediate vicinity of the court unless with a special permission of the relevant judge. Cases should be taken off on a staggered basis at the discretion of the presiding Judge. As per above health guidelines, Judiciary Service Commission will issue special directives for the courts as and when required. No visitors are allowed in prisons.
Daycares are closed for two weeks. Preschools, schools, tuition classes and higher education institutions including universities are closed until further notice.
Wedding functions are not allowed from August 17. Funerals (except COVID-19 deaths) should be held within 24 hours after the dead body is released from the hospital or Inquirer Into Sudden Deaths, taking all possible precautions to minimize the number attending to a maximum of 25 persons at a given time.
Parties, events and gatherings (indoor/ outdoor, including in- house gatherings), beach gatherings are not allowed. No collective activities or gatherings are allowed at places of worship. There should be no congregation in Temples, Mosques and Churches.