Tourists from six banned countries have not visited Sri Lanka within last 14 days: Minister

28 November 2021 01:15 pm - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Tourists from six South African Countries whose citizens cannot enter the country due to the new COVID variant threat, have not arrived in the country in the last 14 days, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.

He said passengers from South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland have not arrived in the country for the past 14 days and they have been ill barred from entering the country from midnight today (28) due to the Omicron new COVID variant.

The Minister said that the relevant departments will look into whether anyone other than tourists have arrived in the country from these countries during the last 14 days.

He said the health sector will take further action accordingly.

The minister said that there is no restriction to the tourists coming to Sri Lanka from countries other than those banned six countries. He said the authorities would check whether they have visited the relevant countries when issuing visas.

He said nearly 90% of the country's population has been vaccinated so far. The government intends to protect the people and maintain the country under the new normalization program in accordance with the health recommendations, the Minister said.(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)

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Comments - 14

Karalasingam Sivalingam Sunday, 28 November 2021 01:14 PM

Permit tourist on the basis of PCR negative reports. Omicron variant escape vaccine opined British expert. Vaccines lose its potency after few months.

Gb Sunday, 28 November 2021 01:45 PM

Omicron is present in Europe are these guys blind or hoping the public are?

vince Sunday, 28 November 2021 06:23 PM

no. just stupid

rappd Sunday, 28 November 2021 02:22 PM

I know of a Sri Lankan family that landed in SL from one of these countries a few days ago. What bullshit is this guy talking about.

Meshach Reuben Sunday, 28 November 2021 02:28 PM

It could have already spread to many other countries.. how about that risk? We all known even delta made it's way through fairly quick

joshua Sunday, 28 November 2021 05:42 PM

Hi Tourism Minister. It is gone beyond african countries. Please listen to the news and read papers

Yoga Sunday, 28 November 2021 06:06 PM

It must have already come into the country via middle east no doubt. No way you can stop a virus getting through.

Antonita Sunday, 28 November 2021 06:36 PM

Uk has identified 2 cases with the Omricon variant. Not sure how many were infected on the plane carrying these infected passengers, airports, transportation systems etc! They were double jabbed and hence no PCR is required on landing. They were happily infecting others without realising! The moral is , Omricon has already gone global! I won’t be surprised if Cases are identified in the near future in SL! Seatbelts on guys! The entire flight carrying 400 odd passengers in Denmark has been quarantined! It spreads like wild fire! This notion of banning countries is absolute foolishness. Take precautions. Do a PCR on every passenger. Don’t just spread rumours saying the unvaccinated are the problem! We know who is spreading Omricon around the world!

Dee Sunday, 28 November 2021 07:52 PM

Err! You sure?

Ramesh Sunday, 28 November 2021 09:10 PM

Yes we believe you! Two years ago we believed you and now you brought the country to this stage. Don't know still how long we have to do so!

Spartacus Sunday, 28 November 2021 09:11 PM

Bullshit, many have arrived in the past 14 days... typical Rajapakse Idiotic kabal.

Upulpb Sunday, 28 November 2021 09:28 PM

This stupid minister only wants to count number of tourists.

CHOLMONDELEY PINTO Sunday, 28 November 2021 10:12 PM

There is no place on earth that you can hide from Covid 19. Only hope is to go to Mars or the moon on s one way ticket.

Nandasena Hora Monday, 29 November 2021 09:32 AM

How about the number of Chinese who keep coming and going as if Sri Lanka was their backyard (it probably is). China has a number of projects in the African countries and I am sure their workers keep moving about from country to country.

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Tourists from six banned countries have not visited Sri Lanka within last 14 days: Minister

Comments - 14

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