Deserted city centre streets on what would normally have been a bustling Sunday afternoon.

Midnight on Thursday to Friday saw the re-introduction of military-enforced curfew across the Western Province that includes Colombo.  Intended to last three days and prevent travel on what would otherwise be a super-spreader three day religious weekend, it was announced this afternoon that curfew will continue until at least a week tomorrow, 9th November.

A minimum of ten days of not setting foot outside the apartment complex should be easy having endured over thirteen weeks of it earlier in the year, right?  We already have remote working and remote schooling, so what could not even being able to venture out and shop possibly add?   

Whilst undoubtedly the correct decision, in truth we are as fed up with it as anybody else – especially as following the Covid-19 case in our tower a few weeks ago the apartment management closed the swimming pool and despite advice that chlorine in swimming pool dilution kills all viruses won\’t reopen it. Being able to swim kept us sane last time round, but now we feel caged – which in truth with nowhere to go beyond walking or running around the multi storey car park and up and down thirty-seven flights of stairs in a fire escape, we are. 

On top of the usual extended hours crowded round one table for school, work and food, add that in the weeks ahead much of my business is going to involve extended calls with West Coast North America – twelve and a half hours behind Colombo when Rennie and the children will either be wanting to sit and watch TV less than two metres from me or go to bed and sleep also within easy earshot.  This extra curfew is going to be a real test of the mutual tolerance that has so far served us well.

Steve