Buses on the expressways have been suspended from today (17) to August 01.
As per a decision of the Covid Committee, all inter-provincial buses and trains will be suspended from today (17) to August 01.
From the 1st of August, the Health Department has given permission to run a number of buses for essential purposes.
However, trains and buses plying in the province are being transported in the same manner, said State Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama yesterday.
The Minister of State further stated that it is hoped to provide some relief for the two weeks and that some discussions have been initiated in this regard.
The Minister of State said that the Ministry of Health has pointed out that the delta strain of the corona virus is found in the Colombo district as compared to other areas and that the delta strain could spread to the inter-provinces through non-essential passenger traffic.
In the last few days, limited buses and trains have been allowed to run only for passengers traveling for essential purposes.
But police inspections yesterday and the day before yesterday have confirmed that more people are traveling for non-essentials than for essentials.
Dilum Amunugama further stated that the police have diverted several buses carrying such a large number of passengers.
Accordingly, it will be possible to complete the vaccination of people over the age of 30 in the city of Colombo within the next two weeks, thereby minimizing the risk of spreading Covid strains, the Covid Committee discussed yesterday.
The Minister of State points out that what is needed at the moment is to fully open the country by getting rid of the epidemic and accelerating vaccination.
The Minister of State also stated that the necessary assistance will be sought from bus owners and bus employees within the next two weeks.
