No decision to impose lockdown: Silva

COLOMBO (News1st): The government has not taken any decision so far to impose a nationwide lockdown to stem the spread of the new COVID-19 variant, army commander general Shavendra Silva has said. "There are rumours circulating in the country stating that an islandwide lockdown will be imposed in the country. But such a decision has not been made yet," Silva told News 1st. In a statement on Friday, the army chief who heads the National Operation Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak noted that special attention is being paid towards the new variant. "The government will take steps to implement the appropriate measures for the safety of the people as instructed by the health sector," the statement read.