Mahinda Yapa Abeyawardena, the speaker of the Sri Lankan parliament, on Monday announced reducing the parliament session to just one day amid the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the country.

The decision was taken after consulting leaders of all political parties, reported Daily Mirror. Accordingly, now parliament will convene on Tuesday from 10.00 am to 04.30 pm.

Authorities have imposed islandwide travel restrictions as the country grapples with an unprecedented third Covid-19 wave.  And, in the wake of travel restrictions, all private banks have decided to close all their branches from today.

Furthermore, bank officials have asked users to make use of digital, online banking, and mobile banking for transactions.

For months now, educational centers remain closed now. G.L. Peiris, the country’s education minister, has said they have no plans to open schools yet. Although the ministry is looking for ways to open schools by ensuring children’s safety, the decision would depend on the future Covid situation, he added.