The Presidential Task Force for Economic Revival and Poverty Alleviation has written to all District Secretaries to take immediate action to maintain public life without disruption should the need arise for an area-specific or complete lockdown in their respective areas.

The secretaries have been advised to ensure the continuation of essential service and to prepare a comprehensive plan to distribute food and other essential items during a possible lockdown.

Offices involved in essential services have been asked to operate with minimum staff and to devise a mechanism to issue passes and permits for any involved in such services.

The letter has been sent by Anton Perera, the Prime Minister's Additional Secretary and the Co-secretary of the Task Force.

However, speaking to the media, Chief Epidiomologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said there was still no need for a country-wide lockdown.

"We believe we can still control the situation without a full lockdown. Area-specific lockdowns will be imposed based on the nature of the outbreak," he said.