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Ukrainians cancel visit to SL over PCR concerns

22 January 2021 01:33 am - 8     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Over 200 Ukrainian tourists who were expected to arrive in Sri Lanka on a charter flight on January 19 under the Government’s pilot project, backed out of visiting the country while a further 100 tourists who were expected to arrive today, have cancelled their plans.

They have cancelled their plans following Sri Lanka’s health protocols which require every tourist to undergo three PCR tests if the stay is more than seven days, the Daily Mirror learns.

The charter flight which was expected to arrive with at least 214 tourists from Ukraine on January 19, flew into the country empty to take back the returning tourists while today, another flight is expected to arrive, but the number of arrivals have been reduced from an estimated 240 to 100.

Sri Lanka’s former ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, who was part of the government’s pilot project told Daily Mirror that following the new health guidelines released for tourists on January 6 many tour operators in Ukraine and Russia had been reluctant to take fresh bookings simply because tourists were reluctant to undergo so many PCR tests during a short span.

Weeratunga said that in addition to undergoing a PCR test in their respective countries within 96 hours before flying to Sri Lanka, upon arrival here, tourists were required to undergo another PCR test upon their check-in at their hotel, another test on their fifth to seventh day and another test during their 14th day. (JAMILA HUSAIN)


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  Comments - 8

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  • Michael Ranasinghe Friday, 22 January 2021 06:54 AM

    Oh so these Ukrainians want to enter Sri Lanka without PCR tests ? Wow !!! The God father of Ukraine will now get PCR tests cancelled only for his tourists . This is pathetic state the country is in

    Stingray Friday, 22 January 2021 06:54 AM

    Well, they wisdom is far above that of Udayanga for sure!

    Tania P Friday, 22 January 2021 06:58 AM

    Their reluctance tell us a lot about the risk they pose doesnt it. But at the same time now that airport is open with a quarantine free experience for any tourist, what is the point of this "pilot"?

    Sambo Friday, 22 January 2021 08:02 AM

    This is a loss for so and so.

    Kathira Friday, 22 January 2021 01:27 PM

    It's so complicated at Colombo Airport?

    Idiot boy. Friday, 22 January 2021 02:13 PM

    Cat is out of Bag.

    Jehan Friday, 22 January 2021 02:23 PM

    Don’t come.

    Patriot Saturday, 23 January 2021 08:01 AM

    Ukrainians please visit Udayanga Weerathunga's home for sure during your tour.


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