NO TOTAL LOCKDOWN - Army Commander statement due IMMINENTLY

COLOMBO (News 1st); Certain decisions made with respect to combating COVID-19 will be revised in the coming days, hinted State Minister (Professor) Channa Jayasumana.

He said the Army Commander is likely to make a statement on Friday (13) evening with regard to any decision on movement restrictions or a lockdown.

"There is no decision for a total lockdown, however, we will have to be tough on movement restrictions," he said following a meeting on COVID-19 prevention at the Presidential Secretariat.

Professor Channa Jayasumana said an official statement will be made on Friday (13) with respect to the surge in COVID-19 deaths and fatalities.

He further said that only 25 people who obtained both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had died, however, they were all over the age of 60 and were suffering from other illnesses.

'We have not reached a decision on the third dose for frontline health workers," he said.

The State Minister said when the vaccination drive for all those over the age of 30 is complete, the vaccination program from those over 18 will commence.

"However, we have administered the vaccine to those between 18 - 30 years in apparel factories and in the BOI zones," he added.