Public travelling to Nuwera Eliya, Adams Peak and Kataragama will not be able to lodge at any hotel in those areas if the guests fail to produce a PHI clearance report that they are COVID-19 free, PHI Union Secretary Mahesh Balasuriya told Daily Mirror.

The Daily Mirror learns that as a result of this new requirement there have been several cancellations of people travelling into those areas for pilgrimage and leisure during the upcoming festive season.

Balasuriya said the Nuwera Eliya district committee had taken a decision to make it mandatory to produce this clearance certificate in order to prevent a spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially since there was an influx of people who had booked to go into the district to celebrate the festive season.

Accordingly, discussions are ongoing to produce the same clearance certificate for those who travel for pilgrimage to Kataragama and to Adams Peak. This requirement will remain in place till January 1. (JAMILA HUSAIN)