Health authorities have written to the Central Province Governor requesting not to allow people in the plantation areas who are employed in the suburbs, including Colombo to return to the plantation areas to celebrate Diwali this year.
According to the health authorities, thousands of people from the Western Province are returning to the plantation areas in the Nuwara Eliya and Badulla districts. Therefore, there is a high risk of the spread of COVID-19 in the plantation areas which would lead to a difficult situation.
Health officials point out that it is practically impossible to quarantine people who come to the plantation areas for the Diwali holiday for 14 days, so it is best to keep them in the areas where they work.
Plantation authorities also stated that if COVID-19 spreads in the plantation areas, it will adversely affect the local tea industry and if tea plucking is not done properly, it can have effects on the manufacturing process.
