Speaking at the media briefing held following the arrival of the Ukraine nationals in the country yesterday (28), Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga stated that after recognizing the shortcoming of the implemented pilot project and correcting them, authorities hope to re-open airports at the latter part of January, while adhering to COVID-19 guidelines.

He stated that the operation of commercial flights would soon follow.

The subject minister stated that the public must not fear unnecessarily that a coronavirus cluster would emerge as foreign travellers are now arriving in Sri Lanka. He explained that according to health guidelines, the travellers will have no contact with the local population of the area and that they would only be allowed to utilize the hotel premises and the allocated beach.

He noted that following the departure of the travellers, the staff of the hotels will be quarantined for 14 days at the hotel itself.
As per the pilot project, 2,580 travellers from Russian countries between 28 December and 24 January. They will be transferred to designated hotels in Beruwala, Bentota and Koggala under the travel bubble concept.

The first group of 186 Ukraine national travellers arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (28), which included 20 children. The passengers were subjected to PCR testing 72 hours prior to arrival were also subjected to PCR testing again at the arrival.

The group which will be staying in the country for 10 days, with undergoing another PCR test seven days in.