In a renewed effort to prevent another outbreak of diseases, Sri Lanka will make showing a COVID-19 immunisation certificate mandatory for admission to public venues beginning January 1.
On Sunday, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga made the statement, reversing the gradual lifting of restrictions imposed after the country was hit by a third wave of COVID-19 infections caused by the Delta type in April.
According to a government statement, Ranatunga said health experts were working on plans to implement the decisions.
Since the end of a six-week curfew on October 1, life in Sri Lanka has begun to return to normal, with cinemas and restaurants reopening and wedding celebrations permitted.
Restrictions imposed in April after the country was hit by a third wave of COVID-19 infections caused by the Delta variety have gradually been eased.
In public locations, however, authorities continue to enforce the wearing of face masks and maintaining social distance. Public transportation remains restricted, and large-scale gatherings are discouraged.
In July, Sri Lanka had a surge in cases, prompting the country to be placed under a conditional lockdown from August 20 to October 1.
Daily infections peaked at almost 3,000, with 200 or more deaths per day. Since then, the number of new infections per day has dropped to around 500, with fewer than 20 deaths.
Since the first COVID-19 patient was identified in March 2020, Sri Lanka has seen approximately 580,000 confirmed cases and over 14,000 deaths due to the virus.
