Nov 16, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Director-General of Health Services as the proper authority for the whole country has issued revised guidelines that need to be followed from the 16th to the 30th of November, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Many of the guidelines that have been in place since they were firstissued are still being implemented.

The Director-General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena noted that a significant control of the COVID-19 epidemic in the country is achieved. However, there is still a risk for escalation in COVID-19 transmission due to cluster formation.

Under this situation the efforts taken in gradual reopening of the country, need to be sustained in continued practice of DreAM in all situations.

It is important to comply with the directions issued by the Director General of Health Services, subject to quarantine regulations.

Proper adherence to these directions has given more responsibility to the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) in those areas for regulation and monitoring at the ground level. The contribution and active engagement of the relevant Ministries is very important to create the inter-sectoral relationship and awareness needed to support this task successfully.

It is emphasized that contributing to the control of COVID-19 is the responsibility of every citizen as well as every governmental, non-governmental and private institutions.

The Director-General of Health Services noted that public gatherings, meetings, events are not permitted until further notice unless prior approval is obtained from the proper authority of the Whole of Sri Lanka except for the activities permitted in the schedule below.