17 August 2020 12:00 am
India and USA may not be on initial list of cleared countries
But we will meet next week to discuss this and also finalize plans to set up an area close to the BIA for the travellers to lodge for a period of 24-hours while they wait for their PCR results
By JAMILA HUSAIN
The government will initially select a list of countries from which tourists can arrive here when the BIA re-opens for travellers in September, and Daily Mirror learns, that countries worst hit by the pandemic including India and USA, may not be on the initial list of cleared countries.
Govt to initially re-open country only for selected countries
A senior government source said that discussions will be held with health officials next week as to when the BIA could re-open and plans will be made to prepare a list of countries from which tourists could initially come here.
This list will be reviewed every few weeks, based on the COVID-19 situation in those countries.
Further, plans are also being made to set up an area close to the BIA where up to 1000 tourists who arrive in the country can be lodged for a 24-hour period, while they await the PCR test results. These tourists will be allowed to enter the country only if they clear the PCR tests. Arrangements are also being made to increase the PCR testing capacity to 1000 per day at the BIA once tourism re-opens in the country.
“Right now, we are not sure exactly when the airport will re-open. But we will meet next week to discuss this and also finalize plans to set up an area close to the BIA for the travellers to lodge for a period of 24-hours while they wait for their PCR results. Initially, only a limited number of tourists will be allowed to enter,” a senior government source said.
Repatriations of local nationals will also continue as over 50,000 citizens await to return home and it is likely the BIA will be re-opened for tourists only once repatriations end.