People wait for buses in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on June 21, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

People carry goods at a market in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on June 21, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

A vendor unloads goods at a market in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on June 21, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

A customer buys drinks at a liquor store in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on June 21, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 
Sri Lankan authorities on Monday temporarily lifted a nationwide travel restriction which was imposed in May to allow essential work of people.

Only two people from every house were allowed to leave home for essential work while private and state-owned companies were urged to operate on very minimum staff.

According to fresh guidelines issued by the Health Ministry on Sunday, supermarkets across Sri Lanka can function on a 25-percent capacity per time while grocery stores will be allowed to take in only three people per time.

Restaurants will remain closed for dine-in while all public gatherings and weddings will continue to be suspended.

Sri Lanka will re-impose the nationwide travel restriction on Wednesday at 10:00 p.m. and lift it again on Friday 4:00 a.m. local time.

The country is presently facing a third wave of the COVID-19 virus with the new variants causing a rapid spread.