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Ranatunga denies Indian tourists bypassing protocols  

17 Sep 2021

By Dinitha Rathnayake  Emphasising that all tourists visiting the country are under the supervision of the Health authorities, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has said that the allegations made by the Public Health Inspectors (PHI) Association regarding the tourism industry and Indian tourists are baseless. The Minister was responding to a statement made by the PHIs Association that tourists arriving in Sri Lanka are being picked up by Tourist Board agents at the Katunayake Airport, and that therefore it is not clear as to who is overseeing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test inspections or quarantine-related activities. According to the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry, the tourism industry has resumed, including the entry of Indian tourists to the country, which was initially restricted. These restrictions were lifted on the recommendation of the Health authorities. Ranatunga pointed out that Indian tourists are being checked before obtaining visas to ascertain whether they have been fully vaccinated, adding that visas will not be issued to Indian tourists who have not been fully vaccinated. Even after receiving both doses of a vaccine, tourists should be confirmed to have not been infected with Covid-19 through the conduct of a PCR test done before arriving in the country, along with another PCR test conducted immediately upon arrival in the country. Hotels follow the Health guidelines issued by the Health Ministry and operate under the supervision of the medical officers of health of the relevant hotel area. If the PHIs are not aware of this process, which is being carried out on the instructions of the Health Ministry, it is advisable to first inquire from the relevant Health authorities, Ranatunga added. The announcement by the PHIs Association President states that various parties claim that the Delta (B.1.617.2) Covid-19 variant of Indian origin came to this country through the tourism industry. However, the Health officials said that the Delta strain was spread through a Sri Lankan from India. Of the 40,000 tourists who have visited the country so far, 270 have been reported to be infected with Covid-19. The public can therefore be misled by the statements made by the PHIs Association President, the Minister said.  


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