Sri Lanka will issue Covid guidelines on arrivals from China: Health Minister

• We won’t place harsh restrictions like US, UK and Australia 
• PCR test within 48 hours before departure required 

By Kelum Bandara 

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. 

• China lifted travel restrictions on outbound travel. The  countries that depend on tourism now try to attract tourists from China