Sri Lanka has imposed a nationwide travel ban and 14-day mandatory quarantine for foreigners among several other measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, reported. The measures came after the island daily case count crossed the 2500 mark, and its hospitals are struggling to cope with the increased caseload. 

Transport of essentials including food items will be permitted. However, the vaccination program will continue uninterrupted, Colombopage said.  

People are permitted to travel within the Western Province only to receive the vaccine,” Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, the Head of the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), was quoted as saying by Colombonext.

Health authorities have re-imposed 14 days mandatory quarantine for travelers entering the country. Even people who are fully vaccinated are not be exempted from these measures.

Earlier this week, the Sri Lankan Medical Association has warned of a systematic breakdown unless action was taken to halt virus spread.

The government has ordered 600,000 doses of Sputnik, and the delivery is expected within two weeks.