Sri Lanka closes key state offices as COVID-19 outbreak surges
08 October, 2020
Authorities in Sri Lanka closed key government offices and additional expanded a curfew Thursday (Oct 8) to contain a surging COVID-19 outbreak.
The foreign ministry closed the consular affairs office for the week and suspended all services to avoid the general public from congregating.
The ministry said it could only accept queries and documentation assistance linked to deaths of Sri Lankans overseas, strictly by appointment.
Other departments providing services related to revenue, immigration, pensions, vehicle license and registrations also closed for the week, and a state-sponsored exhibition was canceled.
The outbreak that surfaced this week has grown to at least one 1,034 cases with an increase of than 2,000 others asked to quarantine at home.
It is centered around a garment factory in the Colombo suburbs where in fact the first patient and many more worked.
Police have widened the curfew in the suburbs where a lot of the patients live. Schools have closed, public gatherings were ordered halted and restrictions were imposed on public transport.
The cluster employs the Indian Ocean island nation reported going 8 weeks without the community infections, and health officials say it poses a higher risk of spreading the virus because employees at the factory worked close together and in addition went home every day and mingled with others in society.
The country has reported 4,252 cases, including 13 deaths. Of the total patients, 3,274 have recovered.
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