Authorities have decided to restrict the entry of devotees to the Anuradhapura Sacred Area during the next few days.
During a news briefing yesterday North Central Province (NCP) Governor Mahipala Herath requested devotees not to attend religious observances in the area in large groups.
“A large number of devotees came to Anuradhapura during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season. There has been a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 infections. People are kindly requested to refrain from visiting the Anuradhapura Sacred Area to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 until the situation is brought under control,” he said.
“There is a risk of the coronavirus spreading around the country if more people come to Anuradhapura with the long vacation. Health officials point out that the disease is spreading rapidly in Anuradhapura,” the NCP Governor added.
Herath further said a decision has been taken to conduct random PCR tests on people coming to Anuradhapura.
He said the above decisions had been taken following discussions with Atamasthanadhipati Ven. Pallegama Sirinivasa Thera, health and other authorities.