Colombo: Sri Lanka announced the lifting of its temporary travel ban on inbound travellers from June 1, except for passengers who spent time in India during the last 14 days. All incoming flights, however, will be limited to a maximum of 75 passengers and they will be subjected to a 14 day quarantine period.
"Any passenger with a travel history to India, including transit, in the past 14 days will not be permitted to arrive," the civil aviation office said in a statement. Foreign nationals, seafarers, businessmen, investors and others are required to obtain approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enter the island along with the entry visa.
A negative PCR test must be taken by all categories of travellers before departure point of origin as per airline or country requirements. And all passengers must adhere to the paid quarantine procedure. The Colombo airport was acting as a transit hub for Indians travelling to West Asia, but the facility was withdrawn in early May due to the current surge in the pandemic.
Before the current wave, Sri Lanka and India were making arrangements for a tourism travel bubble. India remained Sri Lanka's top inbound travel market before the onset of the pandemic. Sri Lanka has reported 170,000 Covid-19 cases so far with 1,269 deaths.
First flight with 53 passengers landed
After the re-opening of airports, the first flight from Doha touched down at the Katunayake International Airport with 53 passengers, the airport duty manager said. He said the airport was closed since May 21 midnight to curb the spreading of Covid-19 virus in the country. Accordingly, the first flight, a Qatar Airways aircraft landed with 53 passengers. Later, another aircraft, a Srilankan airlines also touched down with 116 passengers, the duty manager said.
Those local and foreign passengers have been directed to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine period and two PCR tests. Passengers who are diagnosed and found negative during those tests would be allowed to socialize in Sri Lanka, while others will be referred for further medical treatment.
