Direct flights between Sl-china continue as usual

Direct flights between Sri Lanka and China continue as usual despite a steep decline in Chinese tourist arrivals to the country during the past week amid new coronavirus outbreak.

According to Airport and Aviation Services Ltd. (ASSL) Director Shehan Sumanasekara, the arrivals of Chinese nationals to Sri Lanka by air have declined by over 70 percent YOY from January 25 to February 3 to 4,840.

“All airlines are operating with their usual frequencies up to now and there are no plans to cancel flights. However, we are only one week into the problem,” he said.

During the period, China Eastern, China Southern, Air China and Sri Lankan Airlines have flown in 483, 449, 504 and 2,572 Chinese nationals to the country, respectively.

In addition, Sumanasekara noted that overall tourist arrivals also declined by 5-8 percent YOY in the period.

He stressed that the most Chinese tourist arrived in the country have passed the 2-14 day incubation period of coronavirus, hence, noted that they are unlikely to have been infected with the virus.

With most Chinese tourists arriving from Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing away from the virus epicentre Wuhan, he opined that they pose a lesser risk.

Sumanasekara emphasised that ASSL has adopted stringent measures to contain the coronavirus entering Sri Lanka, which even includes the utilisation of nanotechnology.

“We are utilising nanotechnology to purify air in and out of the airport. That purification process involves breaking down and neutralisation of certain bacteria and certain viruses carrying substances on the passengers’ attire,” he noted.

ASSL has installed 29 of such machines at the BIA to combat coronavirus virus.

Further, Sumanasekara said thermal screening has been installed at all arrival gates of the BIA.

“We have had introduced thermal screening at all gates even before Changi Airport. We have public health inspectors (PHIS) available at all gates and all screening centres. We have separate gates for passengers arriving through Chinese airlines,” he said.

The precautionary measures have also extended to Jaffna and Ratmalana airport as well.