BIA re-opening for tourists to be delayed; says Airport & Aviation Services

Vice-Chairman of Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. Rajeewa Sooriyaarachchi said the World Health Organization or the International Civil Aviation Organization have not yet issued advice on tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka.

" WHO must inform us of the quarantine measures we need to adopt when re-opening the airport," said Rajeewa Sooriyaarachchi to News 1st.

He said if the WHO issues the necessary guidelines or the advice soon, there is a possibility of re-opening the BIA in August.

The Government Medical Officers Association said Sri Lanka should focus on re-opening the airport for specific groups, like visitors from a country that has successfully contained COVID-19.

Secretary of the GMOA Dr. Senal Fernando said the 2020 General Election must also be taken into consideration when opening the BIA for tourist arrivals.

The GMOA said Sri Lanka needs to pay special attention towards subjecting tourists to PCR tests, treatment of suspected cases and confirmed cases as well as placing suspected cases in quarantine.

Former MP Udaya Gammanpila who represented the ruling faction said COVID-19 was successfully contained in Sri Lanka.

He went on to note, zero community transmission cases were reported in the past 59 days in Sri Lanka.

However, Sri Lanka is not included in the list of 15 countries that the EU member states agreed to allow entry when external borders reopen.

The full list of countries whose nationals will be allowed to enter Europe according to the draft list is as follows:

Algeria

Australia

Canada

Georgia

Japan

Montenegro

Morocco

New Zealand

Rwanda

Serbia

South Korea

Thailand

Tunisia

Uruguay

China *subject to confirmation of reciprocity

The Government Medical Officers' Association said at a time when Sri Lanka was among the top 05 nations to successfully combat COVID-19, the EU's decision not to include Sri Lanka is questionable.