28 April 2021 06:31 pm
Decisions with regard to the shutting down the airport or restricting the arrival of tourists would be taken in accordance with health instructions, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunge said.
He said a special surveillance mechanism is in place to monitor the arrival of tourists from India which is severely affected by the COVID-19.
“Indian tourists arrive through a travel bubble method. We have already imposed various restrictions on Indian tourists. Considering the rampant COVID disaster in India, tourists coming from the sub-continent are quarantined in separate hotel rooms. We have also taken steps to restrict the arrival of Indian tourists following a discussion with Indian authorities,” he said.
The Minister told media after a meeting in Gampaha that the airport cannot be shut down immediately as most of those arriving through the airport are expatriate workers.