An islandwide lockdown or travel restrictions have not been imposed in the country following the detection of a new COVID-19 cluster in the Gampaha district due to the difficulties faced by the public during the initial lockdown imposed in March 2020, Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said.

A new COVID-19 cluster, with more than 300 patients, has emerged from within the community following an outbreak at the Brandix apparel factory in Minuwangoda over the weekend.

The National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPC) Head and Army Commander said as the patients identified in the new cluster were spread mainly across Divulapitiya, Minuwangoda, and Veyangoda measures were taken to immediately impose a Police curfew in those areas.

“A total of 1400 workers are employed at the Brandix Apparel factory in Minuwangoda. Another 400 are employed as maintenance workers. Nearly 495 from among these employees have left for their homes in various areas in the country. The Military has taken measures to transport 125 of these employees to quarantine centres,” he said.

Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva further said that the Brandix Organization has allocated a hotel to be utilised as a quarantine centre for its employees.

“Various individuals are suggesting that the country must be placed on lockdown. An intense discussion in this regard was held between the President, Prime Minister, health authorities, and the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19,” he said.

Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva further said the general public faced severe difficulties when the nation was placed in lockdown in March.

“Thereby, keeping that in mind and in order to move forward the country all necessary measures are being taken to curtail the spread of the coronavirus and the new COVID-19 cluster,’ he added.