Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga stated that plans have been made to open the airport in accordance with the COVID guidelines enabling foreign tourists to enter the country and it can be done so as soon as it is approved by the health authorities.

Accordingly, the Minister disclosed that a special discussion will be held with the health authorities on this regard this afternoon (03).

The Minister disclosed this responding to many requests made by a number of Parliamentarians including Chandima Weerakkody, Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon and Diana Gamage at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Tourism held yesterday (02) with regard to the need to expedite the opening of the airport to tourists.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chair Kimarli Fernando stated that 80 tourist service locations have been identified to facilitate tourists visiting the country in accordance with the COVID health guidelines.

Adding to it, she further stated that hotels and institutions related to tourism capable of providing the requisite services adhering to COVID guidelines can register for this purpose and the status of those service establishments will be checked and approved by the health authorities.

The Minister highlighted that since UK has been declared as the first country to approve Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine soon to be followed by Europe and the US, the airports cane be opened soon if the said vaccine becomes a success.

Source: colombopage.com via Travel Voice