President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed the relevant authorities to formulate an effective mechanism for daily wage earners as they face extreme difficulties due to travel restrictions, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the recommendations of health specialists.
A special report containing a framework to deal with this issue will be handed over to the President today.
Even though the travel restrictions will be temporarily relaxed today, the health guidelines will have to be strictly followed.
He further said only pharmacies, groceries, fish, fruits, meat and vegetable stalls are allowed to open today and essential goods must be purchased from the nearest grocery store instead of travelling to supermarkets and other places.
In addition, two groceries at each village are allowed to open during the period of travel restrictions to supply essential commodities to villagers. This will be implemented through Rural Committees set up at village level under the supervision of respective Divisional Secretariats.
Necessary permits will be issued through the Rural Committees to distribute essential commodities by mobile vendors within the limits of respective rural areas.
