![People play rugby at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. [Loren Elliott/ Reuters]](https://newsin.asia/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Capture-193-1-360x180.jpg)
Colombo, Sept 17 (newsin.asia) – The decision on extending the current islandwide quarantine curfew beyond Tuesday (21) will be taken today at the Presidential Task Force meeting, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.
He went on to note, the President had instructed experts and authorities to submit reports about the types of restrictions and guidelines that should be imposed after opening the country.
Breaking: Lockdown in Sri Lanka extended till October 1
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Authorities will submit those recommendations to the Task Force meeting chaired by the President and will review the types of restrictions that would be imposed if the country was to open up after September 21.
The 30+ day lockdown which was imposed on the 20th of August was later extended till the 21st of September, following recommendations by health experts.
The World Health Organization’s Expert group on Sri Lanka has also recommended extending the current lockdown until the 2nd of October or at least till the 18th of September.
The expert group said if implemented, this would save thousands of lives from the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
“Extending lockdowns past August 31 is projected to reduce deaths from COVID-19. If the lockdowns are extended to September 18 and October 2, it would save respectively, 7,500 and 10,000 deaths,” the group said in a report (seen by the Sunday Times) after its meeting held on 26th August.
Meanwhile, the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has requested the Government to further extend the current islandwide lockdown imposed in Sri Lanka to the beginning of early next month. Read more
Claiming that the Covid mortality and infections have been reduced during the lockdown period, State Minister Sudarshani Fernadopulle said yesterday that the Government will take steps to reopen the country after next Monday. Read more
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