Fresh guidelines issued for ‘New Normal’ | Daily News

Fresh guidelines issued for ‘New Normal’

46 workplace settings and public activities covered
Timeline till August 31
Manageable and feasible resumption of various sectors

The Health and Indigenous Medicine Ministry yesterday released new COVID-19 guidelines for 46 different work settings and public activities.


The full list of sector wise guidelines can be downloaded from the Ministry’s official website ‘www.health.gov.lk’.

“Having taken the decision for an exit from existing restrictions, the emphasis should be on a new normal of responsible behaviours that are needed by Sri Lankans. Continued physical distancing, respiratory etiquette, hand hygiene and avoidance of touching face (eyes, nose and mouth) with unclean hands, and widespread use of face masks worn correctly are the key behavior changes needed to be observed by all,” the booklet stressed.   


“Having controlled the situation where the country does not still have community transmission, it was decided to gradually relax the existing restrictions to allow public activities to resume to a permitted level, and as a country, to work ‘towards a new normal.”

This Advocacy Brief on the resumption of public activities during gradual exit from existing restrictions for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka is to support this process to occur in a manageable and feasible manner. This is to enable resumption of economic, administrative and social activities, keeping in mind public health principles, in order to prevent spread of the disease.

“This brief highlights key interventions and responsive actions to be taken by government and private institutions under the guidance of health authorities. This indicates that a continuous but refashioned behaviors change strategy is required to get the maximum support through responsible behavior of people,” the introduction of the booklet said.


The guidelines have covered “use of public buses, trains, taxi services and trishaws, riding a bicycle, conduct of conferences, seminars, tuition classes and public meetings, public and private vehicle parking, weddings in hotels and reception halls, funeral houses and places of worship”.


The guidelines for parks (Children/Public), visiting family and friends, swimming pools and beaches, indoor sports halls and sports classes, gymnasium, banks, security officers, photographers and videographers, communications and electronic shops, places of alcohol and tobacco sales have also been released. 

The guidelines for child day care centres and pre-schools, care homes for older persons, prisons, large and medium sized industries, offices (Public and Private), construction sites, garages, shops (General), supermarkets, groceries, small boutiques, restaurants etc are given separately.

The list also covers Government Ministries, Departments and any other authorities, clothing shops, open markets, street vendors, barber and beauty salons, postal services, mobile food vendors, ready to eat food items, garbage handlers, street cleaners and cleaning staff, tailors and dressmakers, and tourism and hotel sector.

The timeline given for gradual resumption of activities in higher risk areas extends up to August 31 and has been colour coded. 

 


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