Sri Lanka closes key state offices as virus outbreak surges

Authorities in Sri Lanka closed key government offices and furr expanded a curfew Thursday to contain a surging coronavirus outbreak.

foreign ministry closed consular affairs office for week and suspended all services to prevent public from congregating. ministry said it would only accept queries and documentation assistance related to deaths of Sri Lankans overseas, strictly by appointment.

Or departments providing services related to revenue, immigration, pensions, vehicle license and registrations also closed for week, and a state-sponsored exhibition was cancelled.

outbreak that surfaced this week has grown to 1,034 cases with more than 2,000 ors asked to quarantine at home.

It is centred around a garment factory in Colombo suburbs where first patient and many ors worked. Police have widened curfew in suburbs where many of patients live. Schools have closed, public garings were ordered halted and restrictions were imposed on public transport.

cluster comes after Indian Ocean island nation reported going two months without any community infections, and health officials say it poses a high risk of spreing virus because employees at factory worked close toger and also went home every day and mingled with ors in society.

country has reported 4,252 cases, including 13 deaths. Of total patients, 3,274 have recovered.

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(Im: Pixabay)