Public transport arrangements in Sri Lanka after curfew withdrawn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. 

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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.)

PCR results within 2.5 hours at Bandaranaike International Airport

Sri Lanka's Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport is equipped with a Robotic Arm PCR Testing facility. The facility will reduce the time taken to conduct PCR testing and reporting from 8 hours to approximately 2.5 hours.

The speed robotic PCR testing facility is capable of testing 32 samples in parallel, enable significantly safer and faster testing and reporting regime in a mere 2.5 hours. 

Dialog Axiata PLC (Dialog) partnered with the Ministry of Health to provide this facility under a pledge of Rs. 200 Million towards the upliftment of Critical Health Infrastructure associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Doctors' Association (GMOA) of Sri Lanka wants travel restrictions to risk areas

Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) of Sri Lanka protested the withdrawal of curfew in the entire Western Province on Monday without proper study. 

Haritha Aluthge, editor of GMOA said that there was a threat of the coronavirus spreading throughout the country if the country is opened without necessary precautions like travel restrictions to risk areas. 

He said that the creation of new clusters must be prevented and the already identified clustered managed. 

13 deaths in Sri Lanka within a weak due to COVID-19

13 deaths occurred with a week in Sri Lanka due to COVID-19. 

Four deaths were reported yesterday, Tuesday, 7 November 2020. 

Two deaths were reported from Maligawatta in Colombo city. A 42-year-old woman died of a heart attack. She suffered from a chronic illness. The other woman is 69 years old. She suffered from many illnesses and died in National Hospital due to pneumonia. 

A male person of 69 years old died at home due to pneumonia. He too was suffering from illnesses for a long time. 

A 88 years old woman of Ganemulla in Gampaha district died at Laggama Pallegama hospital in Matale district due to pneumonia. She was diagnosed positive for COVID-19 while in quarantine. She is an associate of a patient of Minuwangoda cluster. 

The number of cases identified yesterday was 449. The total number of deaths is 34.