Fear of pandemic causes shop closure

With the spread of COVID-19 traders’ associations of another 13 towns have decided to close their establishments voluntarily.

Traders’ associations in Kegalle, Chilaw, Ampara, Wennappuwa, Kekirawa, Moneragala, Divulapitiya, Deraniyagala, Uragasmanhandiya, Wadduwa, Banduragoda, Rikillagaskada and Alawwa have decided to close their shops until the situation improved.

 Earlier Ambalangoda and the Gampaha Traders’ Associations decided to close their shops for a week from 16 August.

AMS President Dr. Lakkumar Fernando said that it was a positive move, given that COVID was spreading rapidly.

“The traders have taken this step realising that there is no other way to stop people coming into towns. I think this is a good example of people taking action to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” he said. (RK)