Opening borders: Health authorities express concern

Health authorities have admitted they have concerns as the country prepares to reopen its borders for tourism.

Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera told reporters that there is a fear that coronavirus infected persons could be among foreigners arriving in the country.

He said that tourists arriving in the country should be contained within the proposed travel bubble.

“If they move out of the travel bubble they may spread coronavirus in the country,” Samaraweera said. Samaraweera said that the tourism sector has been advised to be mindful of this and to act with responsibility.

Deputy Director-general of Public Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath said that there is no move by health workers to police every tourist.

He said that health workers are overburdened and cannot be expected to monitor every tourist. Dr. Herath said that the tourism sector and regional health authorities have been briefed on the health guidelines to be followed by the tourists. He also said that every tourist visiting Sri Lanka is not infected by the coronavirus.

“the tourist are not coming to Sri Lanka to stay in a room for 14 days so we are taking them around in a travel bubble,” he said.

However, since the health authorities are not aware of the actual health condition of those arriving in Sri Lanka, locals have been advised to stay away from them. He also added that the tourists will be mostly visiting areas with open spaces so the risk of others contracting the virus from an infected person is reduced. Sri Lanka is set to reopen its borders for commercial flights from 21 January.(EASWARAN RUTNAM)