The curfew implemented in many parts of the country to curb the spread of COVID-19 will be lifted in several districts and police areas to facilitate the return to daily operations of the public.

Accordingly, the curfew in all districts except Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha, Kegalle, Kandy, Puttalam and Ampara districts, will be lifted at 5.00 am on Monday (20) and re-imposed at 8.00 pm on the same day.

Curfew in these districts will be in force from 8.00 pm to 5.00 am every day until further notice.

The PMD says that the curfew in Alawathugoda, Akurana, Warakapola and Akkaraipattu police areas in Kandy, Kegalle and Ampara districts will not be relaxed.

However, the curfew in the rest of the police areas in these three districts will be lifted at 5.00 am and re-imposed at 8.00 pm from April 20.

For the following police areas in Colombo, Kalutara, Puttalam and Gampaha districts the curfew will not be relaxed, the PMD said.

Colombo District: Kotahena, Grandpass, Bambalapitya, Keselwatte, Maradana, Gothatuwa, Mulleriyawa, Wellampitiya, Mount Lavinia, Dehiwala and Kohuwala police areas

Gampaha District: Ja-Ela, Kochchikade and Seeduwa police areas

Puttalam District: Puttalam, Marawila and Wennappuwa police areas

Kalutara District: Bandaragama, Payagala, Beruwala and Aluthgama police areas

The curfew in the rest of the police divisions in the aforementioned four districts will be relaxed from 5.00 am to 8.00 pm. from Wednesday (April 22).

Accordingly, the curfew will not be lifted in the Kotahena, Grandpass, Bambalapitiya, Keselwatte, Maradana, Gothatuwa, Mulleriyawa, Wellampitiya, Mount Lavinia, Dehiwala, Kohuwala, Ja-Ela, Kochchikade, Seeduwa, Puttalam, Marawila, Wennappuwa, Bandaragama, Payagala, Beruwala, Aluthgama, Warakapola, Akurana, Alawathugoda and Akkaraipattu areas and will continue to be in force.

In the event any area is identified as a high risk zone curfew could be enforced in those areas. As for the isolated villages, no one will be allowed to leave or enter these areas.
In the areas where curfew has not been lifted, transportation on the main roads will be allowed for essential services. However, even in areas where the curfew has been lifted, travel should be restricted only to attend work and essential services, the government noted. Travel between districts is also permitted only to report for work and for essential services purposes.