The Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 is scheduled to decide tomorrow (03) on extending the curfew from Monday (06) which is currently in effect islandwide. This was stated by the Director-General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena.
Speaking to the media yesterday, Minister of State for Primary Health Care, Epidemiology and Covid Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle also said that the current island-wide lockout should be extended by another two weeks.
The 10-day lockout, which was imposed on August 20, was later extended to September 6 on the recommendation of health experts.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the current lockout should be extended until October 2 or at least September 18.
Experts say that if this is implemented, thousands of lives could be saved from the deadly COVID-19 epidemic.
Extending the lockout after Aug. 31 will reduce COVID-19 deaths, experts say.
He said extending the lockout to September 18 and October 2 would save between 7,500 and 10,000 deaths, respectively.