14 January 2023 12:00 am Views - 693
Sri Lanka will only issue Covid guidelines for travellers from China following the lead of countries such as Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, and they won’t be harsh restrictions placed by the countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia, a Minister said.
Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told the Daily Mirror that travellers from China would be required to have a negative PCR test report obtained within 48 prior to departure. Also, they are required to follow basic precautions such as face masking.
“These are basic guidelines. Unlike the countries which have geopolitical concerns with China, we won’t place harsh restrictions on them. We follow the steps taken by the countries such as Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia regarding arrivals from China,” he said.
China lifted travel restrictions on outbound travel. The countries that depend on tourism now try to attract tourists from China. Chinese nationals are expected to travel outside the country during the upcoming Spring Festival.
Sri Lankan Ambassador in Beijing Dr. Palitha Kohona said China’s new policy on travel will be a boon to the world tourism industry. He said, in 2019 over 169 million Chinese undertook leisure-related travel. According to him, over two billion journeys will be undertaken by Chinese travellers during the coming Chinese Spring Festival.