COLOMBO, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan government said on Monday that it had extended its "Work from Home" policy to all public and private sector employees till April 20 in a bid to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, a statement from the Presidential Secretariat said.

The Lotus Tower, a communication and observation tower, is lit up with colours as a sign of solidarity towards health workers during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Colombo on April 11, 2020. (Photo: AFP)

This policy will apply to all state, semi-government and private sector entities except those which are categorized as essential services, the statement said.

In an earlier statement, the President's Office said the "Work from Home" policy was not considered as public holidays.

"Uninterrupted continuation of public services is the responsibility of the government. However, the objective of this measure is to prevent the unnecessary gathering of people and pave the way for self-quarantine," the statement said.

Meanwhile, the President's Office said that schools will also remain closed till May 11 while schools have been encouraged to implement distance learning facilities for all students.

Sri Lanka has so far identified 210 positive COVID-19 patients while 7 deaths have been reported. Out of the total, 56 patients have recovered and been discharged while 147 are under medical observation in the designated hospitals.