Colombo, Apr 26 (IANS): An ongoing curfew in Sri Lanka due to the coronavirus pandemic will be partially relaxed from Monday onwards, the President's Media Division (PMD) said on Sunday.

While the curfew in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttlam districts will be reamain force until May 4, it will be lifted from all other districts of the island nation at 5 a.m. on Monday and re-imposed at 8 p.m. on the same day, the Daily Mirror quoted the PMD as saying.

The regulations will also allow opening of state and private companies from May 4 in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttlam districts despite the curfew.

All the state departments, corporations, statuary boards and private sector industries, working places, fish, vegetables and retail stores can also be operated under strict regulations.

Meanwhile, the PMD said that public transport would only be allowed for the use of people who are travelling for work while others should stay at home.

People are permitted to go out only to buy medicines or essential goods to the places closest to their residence.

But all schools, universities, tuition classes, other educational institutions and cinema halls will remain closed until further notice, the Daily Mirror reported quoting the PMD as saying.

The PMD also said that movement across Districts would only be permitted for essential services.

All kinds of functions, pilgrimages, trips, meetings etc have been banned until further notice and religious leaders are requested to ban observances and events at places of worship.

As of Sunday, Sri Lanka reported 460 coronavirus cases with seven deaths.