Sri Lanka further eases travel restrictions for tourists to boost tourism industry
Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry has further eased travel restrictions imposed on tourists visiting the country and has permitted tourist activities to continue despite the lockdown. This enables tourists who are fully vaccinated as well as travellers who have completed the 14-day quarantine within the bio-bubble to move about freely.
According to the latest directive of Sri Lanka’s Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena, fully vaccinated tourists and those who have completed 14-days in quarantine are “free to move out of the bio-bubble” and travel to other areas in the country.
Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has recently underscored the importance of the tourism industry gradually opening up with lesser restrictions for international travellers along with the aggressive vaccination drive.
The country’s tourism industry is a key foreign exchange earning sector for the economy.
Accordingly, ‘Safe and Secure’ Level 1 or Level 2 certified hotels can accept tourists with a vaccination certificate or discharge note issued by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). Such international travellers are permitted to visit tourist sites, but the transport should be organised by the particular hotel.
In addition, tourists who have completed their mandatory quarantine are allowed to enjoy the facilities of the hotel, such as the restaurants, bars, coffee shops and common facilities, subject to health guidelines of the maximum permitted capacity.
Tourist establishments with liquor licenses are permitted to serve liquor in-house to guests with the approval of the Excise Commissioner General.
OSL take:
Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka have recorded a gradual but steady growth since early this year. The easing of travel restrictions for foreign travellers and the internationally recognised safety and hygiene certifications received by Sri Lanka’s airports have made the island an attractive post Covid travel destination. The island has been promoted as a must visit destination by several leading global travel programmes and has also been listed among the top 25 island destinations in the world. All these arw indicative of the continuously expanding opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/14092014/Z_4 |