On Thursday (19), the Government declared a week long work from home rule as medical experts had expressed fear that more people could get infected with the virus due to the large number of Sri Lankan nationals who had returned home from Italy in recent days.
The Government also halted all passenger flight arrivals at the Bandaranaike International Airport from March 19 to 25 to avoid any infected patients from entering the country and requested all those who had arrived from Europe, Iran and South Korea in recent weeks to self-quarantine if they had not gone into quarantine centres.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa making a special statement to the nation on Friday (20) said the entire world is facing the coronavirus epidemic at this moment and requested the public to act with restraint and follow the advice of the healthcare personnel.
The Premier said that the Government has taken all necessary steps paying great attention from the moment the epidemic was discovered in the country. However, due to the irresponsible behaviour of a few, an island-wide curfew had to be imposed, he said.
He said “As I address you, the entire country is under a curfew. Even during the time we fought the worst terrorism in the world, we did not need to impose an island-wide curfew. However, we have been forced to take this step today due to the irresponsible behaviour of a few.”
Premier Rajapaksa said “We are able to provide all that you need for your daily life. We have adequate stocks of food and drink, medicine and fuel for months. There is no need to doubt or panic in this regard.” He said the Government will not conceal from the public the true situation of the affected people or the nature of the epidemic in the country.