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SL Tourism ‘not worried’ about Covid re-emergence

29 Jul 2022

 
  • SLTDA Chair says precautions taken, assures no need to worry
  • Notes no tourists diagnosed with Covid-19 thus far
  By Imsha Iqbal  Sri Lanka Tourism is not worried about the impact of the recent uptick in Covid-19 cases, as it believes it would not severely hinder the country’s tourism sector.  Speaking to The Morning Business, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Priantha Fernando said: “I do not think we have to worry, but we have to take every precaution,” explaining that he does not anticipate that the increasing number of Covid cases reported recently will develop into an outbreak.  However, despite the relatively low number of cases being detected in comparison to the height of the pandemic, the SLTDA is taking every possible measure to ensure that it does not spread, with the Director General of Health Services re-introducing the mask mandate.  “The SLTDA is following the guidelines and getting the tourism industry to follow the guidelines as well,” Fernando stated.  He also noted that other countries are facing a similar situation due to the resurgence of Covid-19. For instance, there were no tourists reported from China, despite the country being one of the top tourist sources for Sri Lanka in the recent past, as movement has been totally suspended due to China’s Zero-Covid policy. Similarly, other countries are taking every precaution to prevent another outbreak. “Thus, in comparison to the circumstances of one and a half years ago, people do know exactly what should be done to protect themselves, while many among them have taken the booster jab after completing the three required vaccinations,” noted the SLTDA Chair.   However, Fernando reiterated that the SLTDA is vigilant in this regard in spite of the numbers being low while thus far, while no foreign tourists have been affected or identified with Covid symptoms.   Tourism is one of the key foreign exchange earners for Sri Lanka, which is suffering from low levels of foreign reserves, resulting in acute shortages of food and medicines.  Speaking to the media on Monday (24), Health Ministry Director of Medical Technical Services and Chief Co-ordinator for Covid-19 Dr. Anwar Hamdani said Sri Lanka’s status regarding Covid-19 is at a controllable level at the moment, but advised the public to obtain the booster doses as soon as possible, assuring that the Health Ministry has enough stocks of the vaccine.


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