2,869 new cases and 14 deaths during the curfew week in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka recorded a steady increase of COVID-19 cases and deaths within the past week. 2,869 cases were reported during the period between November 2 and 8 while 14 deaths occurred during this period. 

Meanwhile, 3,382 persons were reported recovered during the period between November 2 and 8. 

The entire Western Province was under curfew during this period. The vast majority of these cases and all the deaths were reported from the Western Province. 

However, during the week's period immediately before that (October 26 to November 1) 3,188 cases were reported. Recoveries during the same period were 1,102. Five deaths occurred during this period.

Factory workers allowed to enter into COVID-19 isolated areas in Sri Lanka

Listening to the request of the export industries, Sri Lanka government gave permission to the employees of the factories to enter into the isolated areas. 

Accordingly, the employees of factories permitted by the Board of Investment and Export Development Board can enter into the factories in the isolated areas following strict health regulations. 

The staff of essential services also can enter into the isolated areas.

However, the public transport buses and trains do not have permission to stop in isolated areas to take ad drop passengers. 

LPL 2020 match schedule released; all matches Hambanthota

Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2020 cricket tournament will start at 7.30 P.M. on November 26. Colombo will play against Kandy at Mahinda Rajapaksa Internationa Cricket Stadium in Hambanthota (MRICS). 

All matches will be played in Hambanthota where COVID-19 penetration is less. 

The final match will be played on  December 16th at 7.30 p.m.

Schedule Of LPL 2020:

Date	Team 1	Team 2	Time	Venue
26-Nov	Colombo	Kandy	7.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
27-Nov	Jaffna	Galle	7.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
28-Nov	Kandy	Dambulla	3.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
28-Nov	Galle	Colombo	7.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
30-Nov	Dambulla	Jaffna	3.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
30-Nov	Kandy	Galle	7.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
01-Dec	Colombo	Dambulla	3.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
01-Dec	Jaffna	Kandy	7.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
03-Dec	Galle	Jaffna	3.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
03-Dec	Dambulla	Kandy	7.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
04-Dec	Colombo	Jaffna	7.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
05-Dec	Dambulla	Galle	3.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
05-Dec	Kandy	Colombo	7.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
07-Dec	Colombo	Galle	3.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
07-Dec	Jaffna	Dambulla	7.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
09-Dec	Kandy	Jaffna	3.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
09-Dec	Galle	Dambulla	7.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
10-Dec	Jaffna	Colombo	3.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
10-Dec	Galle	Kandy	7.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
11-Dec	Dambulla	Colombo	7.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
13-Dec	TBC	TBC	7.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
14-Dec	TBC	TBC	7.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota
16-Dec	TBC	TBC	7.30 PM	MRICS, Hambantota

Public transport arrangements in Sri Lanka after curfew withdrawn

With the withdrawal of the curfew in the Western Province and other areas, 5000 Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses and 48 office trains will be deployed for transport since tomorrow, Sri Lanka transport authorities announced. 

Private buses are also to be deployed for transport under a systematic arrangement, private bus operators say.  

The passengers are requested to wear face masks, wash hands and keep one-meter distance in public transport. 

Buses and trains will not be stopped in isolated areas. The people who live in isolated areas cannot leave the areas even to report for essential services. 

The busfare has also been increased according to the transport policy implemented in each Province. Price hikes will be from 20% to 50% according to the seating regulations. The maximum increase will be 50% for the areas where only one passenger is seated on a double seat.

All expressways will be open for public use without restrictions since 5 a.m. tomorrow.  

Ministry of Public Service, Provincial Councils and Local Government has advised the institutional heads to summon the minimum number of employees to the public offices. The rest of the employees will work from home. 

Read:

Areas in Sri Lanka that remain isolated since 9 November 2020

12 police divisions in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo city isolated due to spread of COVID-19

Areas in Sri Lanka that remain isolated since 9 November 2020

Colombo district (police divisions): 

Mattakkuliya, Modara, Bloemandahl, Kotahena, Grandpass, Coastal, Aduruppu Weediya, Maligawatta, Dematogoda, Wellampitiya, Borella and Keselwatta. 

Gampaha district (police divisions): 

Wattala, Peliyagoda, Kadawatha, Ragama, Negambo, Pamunuwa, Jaela, Sapugaskanda

Kalutara district:

Horana, Ingiriya (police divisions) and Wekada West Grama Niladhari Division

Kurunegala district: 

Kurunegala Municipal Council area, Kuliyapitiya police divisions

Kegalla district: 

Mawanella, Ruwanwella (police divisions)

Housing schemes in Colombo district with a high risk of spread (movements restricted to houses):

Methsanda Sevana, Mihijaya Sevana, Ranmina Sevana - Modara, Sirisanda Uyana - Dematagoda, NHS housing - Maligawatta

12 police divisions in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo city isolated due to spread of COVID-19

Twelve police divisions in Colombo city will remain isolated although the curfew in the Western Province is withdrawn tomorrow. The reason is the spread of COVID-19 in these police areas.

The isolated police divisions are, 

Mattakkuliya, Modara, Bloemandahl, Kotahena, Grandpass, Coastal, Aduruppu Weediya, Maligawatta, Dematogoda, Wellampitiya, Borella and Keselwatta. 

Rs. 60 million per day for PCR in Sri Lanka; low-cost, fast Rapid Antigen Test to start

Sri Lanka's Director General of Health Services Asela Gunawardane said that the daily cost for PCR testing by the Ministry of Health is Rs. 60 million. 

The official said that the government bears around Rs. 6,000 per a test for the test alone. Laboratory Technicians' Union Chairman Ravi Kumudesh said that the cost for a test is as high as Rs. 10,000 with safety equipment and other costs. 

Sri Lanka has conducted 590,435 PCR tests, according to COVID-19 Live Situational Analysis Dashboard of Health Promotion Bureau. Health sources say that a minimum of three PCR tests is required to verify a COVID-19 case.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has provided Sri Lanka with 50,000 Rapid Antigen Test kits and the stock is expected to arrive in the country today, November 8th.

Rapid Antigen Test in which the protein antibodies in the infected person’s blood is tested is a low-cost field test that brings results faster. However, there is a lack of sensitivity in the new test when compared to the PCR test, State Minister Channa Jayasumana said to media. 

Rapid Antigen Test delivers results in 20 minutes and it will be used prior to using the costlier PCR test for further testing, the Ministry of Health (MoH) said.

(Cover photo: Times of India, mentioned price is Indian Rs.)