Sri Lankan economy, already reeling under a purported ‘demand-side’ shock and it has to bear a ‘supply-side ‘shock when the country unlocks public and private sectors to resume activities ON Monday11 living with Covid for almost two months.
The country is faced with a tough predicament — whether to continue lock down with long-term costs of economic slowdown, or choose unlocking’ allowing public and private sector employees to ‘return to work.
Under his set up the government has to immediately prepare a comprehensive policy initiative to tackle the covid-19 pandemic and to lift the curfew and lock down.
This plan must include details of how each ministry is going to function for the next three months keeping in mind the guidelines issued by the health sector, informed sources said.
President Goabaya Rajapaksa has been urged to direct all ministries to prepare this three month contingency plan.
It's imperative that the public is made aware of how the administration is going to implement/exercise this action plan for the ongoing Covid-19 period.
Sri Lanka companies may be advised to continue working from home for at least 50 per cent of the employees for another month.
For the remaining employees, flexible working hours or staggered working hours may be introduced to avoid overcrowding of public transport during the peak hours.
(LI)