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Multiple tests to deter tourists

27 Sep 2020

By Uwin Lugoda Both The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) and the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) have expressed concerns over the number of PCR tests the country has imposed on tourists entering Sri Lanka. During a media briefing organised by SLAITO at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on 23 September, THASL Chairman Sanath Ukwatte pointed out that the number of PCR tests stipulated by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) might act as a deterrent for prospective visitors. He explained that other competitors such as the Maldives require only one PCR test from tourists entering the country, instead of three as in Sri Lanka. “I don’t know whether tourists are going to like that; it is quite an inconvenience for them. Therefore, we need to review this and open our doors for a limited number of tourists to come in, and try to restart our industry as fast as possible.” Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, SLAITO President Mahen Kariyawasan agreed with Ukwatte’s statement, saying it will definitely act as a deterrent to tourists looking to enter Sri Lanka. He explained that since health is the number one concern when from the country’s perspective, SLAITO does not object to multiple PCR tests, but hopes that the requirement will be relaxed as the situation gets better. “It will definitely be a problem, because no one would want to come and stay in one hotel for 14 days. Other countries like the Maldives and Singapore have already decided to open their countries to tourists with just one PCR test, so I think we need to work our way towards less tests. Once we open Sri Lanka again, we will see very low numbers of tourists, but it will get better as we go along.” The Maldives reopened to international tourists in mid-July, with minimum requirements for their visitors. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) of the Maldives later made it mandatory for all tourists and short-term visitors to present a negative PCR certificate on arrival, with effect from 10 September. However, during the SLAITO event, SLTDA Chairperson Kimarli Fernando stated that the industry should be careful when drawing comparisons between Sri Lanka and countries like the Maldives. She explained that the Maldives consists of several islands, most of which only have just one resort. “If there is an outbreak, all they have to worry about and control is that particular island, while here, we are just one big island.” She added that the current requirements for tourists entering the country were put forward by the local health officials. She explained that as it stands, these tourists have to do the first test 72 hours before departure, which is already a requirement in most airlines, another PCR test once they land in Sri Lanka, and a third PCR test within the first five to seven days. The requirement of three PCR tests was first put forward by then Minister of Industrial Export, Investment Promotion, Tourism, and Aviation Prasanna Ranatunga at a media briefing on 17 June. During the event, he stated that tourists are required to bring the reports of the PCR tests conducted in the country of origin. These reports will be inspected by local authorities, and a second PCR test will be done at the airport. Tourists will then be kept at the airport until they receive the PCR test reports, after which they will be directed to hotels or lodges registered with the SLTDA. A third PCR test will be conducted during tourists’ stay in Sri Lanka, he said, adding that they will be under constant health supervision.


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