Foreign tourists must stay in Sri Lanka for 05 nights
It has been made mandatory that all foreign tourists arriving in Sri Lanka from overseas must stay in the island for a minimum of 5 nights from the 1st of August onwards.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority stated that it is also compulsory to submit a PCR test report conducted at least 72 hours before arriving in the country, while another PCR test will be conducted upon arrival at the airport.
The SLTDA noted that foreign arrivals must remain at a star rated hotel in Colombo or Negombo for one day, until the results of their PCR tests are released.
A statement issued in this regard noted that unless foreign tourists clearly manifest signs of illness, they will not be subject to quarantine procedure from the 1st of August onward.
However all foreign arrivals who intend to remain in Sri Lanka for 10 or more days, will be required to undergo 03 mandatory PCR tests during their stay.
The SLTDA stated that the Katunayake, Ratmalana and Mattala airports, as well as all tourist attractions will be open from 1st August.
(Source: News Radio)
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I am dumbstruck by those who are dreaming of reviving tourism from 01 Aug 2020.
The complex rules on pCR tests and minimum stays are a No. 1 deterrent.
In addition, the developed countries who supply the tourists are preparing their own guidelines for foreign travel.
Countries to visit are being categorised as ‘within the bubble’ (safe to travel) and ‘outside the bubble’ (unsafe to travel based on Covid 19 statistics).
The airline industry is yet to state how they would enforce Covid 19 restrictions (4 sq m’s per person which means every adjoining seat to be vacant).
Travel insurance to ‘outside the bubble’ countries could cost as much as USD 10,000 per person including protection for viral infections.
A National Strategy for effective alternative use of tourism related infrastructure is urgently needed. Maybe another military led Task Force can handle this issue.