28 October 2021 09:12 am Views - 266
Only health declaration to be completed within 20 seconds and not exiting Airport as claimed earlier
Online COVID-19 Health Declaration System has been introduced at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with the initial step of moving to touch-free and paperless boarding technology.
The Online COVID-19 Health Declaration System was introduced to ease the passenger handling process at the Airport.
The health declaration system was inaugurated by the Aviation and Export Zones Development State Minister D.V. Chanaka at the airport premises yesterday.
During launching the event, the State Minister claimed that the new system would help to reduce the exit time by 20 seconds after the arrival of the passengers. He said the prime objective of introducing this system is to reduce the use of physical form filling and encourage passengers to opt into an online platform, thereby reducing physical contact and passenger processing time.
Passengers can log on to the aviation official website www.airport.lk or https://www.airport.lk/health_declaration/index to enter their details. The passengers can submit their details before boarding the flight, while travelling (if the flight has an internet facility), or after landing at the airport.
He said with the new system, the Health Authorities will be able to receive passenger information in advance, which will help in reviewing the passenger’s health records while reducing the queuing time.
"Passengers should fill out the web-based Health Declaration form, should attach the vaccination card with the first dose and second dose, and COVID-19 test report done within 72 hours prior to departure related to the health declaration.
Next, the passenger should submit the form online. Upon submission, passengers will have the facility to capture a QR code and will also receive an email with that QR code.
"The health officials at the airport will receive the passenger information before the passenger arrives at the airport, and they will review the information. Finally, passengers who have submitted their health declaration forms online should submit the QR code (either in the email or on their mobile device) upon arrival, for scanning at the health declaration counter, "he said.
"After passengers arrive at the airport, they should report to the airport's health declaration counter to check their COVID reports. Earlier, passengers had to fill out a special form at the counter, and it took at least two minutes. After introducing the new system, other than filling out the papers, people can scan the QR code they received after successful submission of the online form. The scanning and retrieving of the passenger information by the Health Declaration counter official will take a few seconds, "the State Minister added.
"After scanning the QR code, the passenger will receive a receipt. The passengers can keep that receipt for any further inquiry by the area Public Health Officer (PHI) or any other health inquiry, "he said.
"If the provided documents are verified, the passengers will be directed to the immigration counter. The immigration counter procedures have also been digitalized. That will help passengers exit the airport in the shortest time duration.
The exit time will depend on the passenger. That will change if the passengers used to shop duty-free or due to any other reason, "the State Minister said.
In less than 20 seconds, the time was consumed to scan the QR code and to certify the details. Later, the passengers will be directed to the immigration counters.
Passengers who do not have access to the new system, should also be received at the Health Declaration counter and fill out the forms manually.
The State Minister said that this project was launched at BIA with the expectation of providing a convenient travel experience for our valued passengers.