Hoteliers Association backs Sri Lanka Tourism's request to relax health guidelines

The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) yesterday lauded moves to ease entry requirements for foreigners, saying a quick rebound in tourism could help revive the COVID-battered economy and boost foreign exchange. Commenting on a request made by Sri Lanka Tourism to the Director General of Health Services, THASL stressed the importance of further relaxing the current protocols in place, especially with multiple global airlines announcing direct flights. 

The request made by Sri Lanka Tourism based on dialogues with industry stakeholders comes days after Aeroflot, Swiss Air and Air France announced direct flights to Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan Airlines announced direct flights from key source markets, Germany, Russia and France,” THASL said. 

As a sequel to a meeting to discuss how to obtain the ‘desired’ results for tourism, chaired by President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and held last month, the Chairperson of SLTDA Mrs.Kimarli Fernando has written to the Medical Office of Health (MOH)/Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena to modify the existing health guidelines issued in respect of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

This arises from a meeting that was held in Russia by the Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga, the State Minister of Tourism Tharaka Balasuriya and herself with the Media, key influencers, several Tour Operators and Travel agents, whilst the trio was attending the Tourism Trade Fair held in Moscow, and to promote tourism.

In her letter, Kimarli Fernando specifically refers to considering the following issues, aimed at making the country more appealing to tourists:-

1. Removal of wearing PPE requirement for flight crew who are fully vaccinated,
2. Remove the requirement of PCR testing 72 hours before boarding for fully vaccinated passengers,
3. Removing PCR testing for children 12 years and below, in accordance to EU regulations, and,
4. Allow rapid tests for fully vaccinated passengers on the tourist route and that this is conducted at the airport.

Fernando pointed out that Russia has a population of over 144 million, with nearly 25 percent of its total population vaccinated, and is a key source market for Sri Lanka.

Her letter dated 7^th September, drew criticism on social media with some saying this move can pose a threat to airline crew and to the country. Countering these adverse comments, the SLTDA Chairperson has reiterated that “Sri Lanka tourism has always been responsible. When health permitted arrivals from India, tourism route was opened for only fully vaccinated. The requests made are based on best practice,” Adding that the global health pandemic should not be politicized and that Sri Lankan’s successful vaccination program and gradual changes made to protocols in line with global best practices will support the economy through December winter bookings.

Aeroflot will recommence their direct operations to Colombo from 04^th November 2021.Sri Lankan airlines has already launched flights to Moscow (once weekly), with a special ‘Buy one…Get one free’ promotion, valid until 31^st October 2021, to boost traffic from Russia.

Meanwhile, despite the 3^rd wave of the coronavirus seeping across the island, Sri Lanka recorded the highest monthly figure of 5.040 visitors in August, for this year todate.

Hospitality Sri Lanka News

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