Re-opening of BIA and resumption of repatriations postponed till September
Re-opening may be further delayed due to the existing COVID-19 situation
The re-opening of the Bandaranaike International Airport and the resumption of repatriations has been pushed to early September in the wake of the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Center transforming into a cluster and thousands having been taken into the quarantine centers in recent days, the Daily Mirror learns.
As soon as the airport opens tourists will also be allowed to arrive
Govt sources said that following discussions with the President’s Office and Health Officials, it has been decided to keep the airport closed for all incoming passengers till at least early September till such time the Kandakadu cluster is completely under control and the thousands who are presently under quarantine return back home.
“We have not decided on a specific date as to when we will open the airport because of the present situation but it will be somewhere in September. The President’s Office has decided to postpone the re-opening of the BIA because more people may be taken into the quarantine centers in the coming weeks. Therefore they are keeping the centres open for people in Sri Lanka rather than those who arrive from overseas. Once that part is done and completed and once the Health Ministry gives us the green light we will immediately recommence
the repatriation program,” authoritative sources said.
Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services Retired Major General G. A. Chandrasiri said that the BIA was fully prepared to be re-opened for incoming passengers as all health measures had been put in place but confirmed the re-opening may be further delayed due to the existing COVID-19 situation in the country.
“We may have to wait for some time. As soon as the airport opens for repatriations we will allow tourists also to arrive here,” Chandrasiri said.
The government halted repatriations last Tuesday following the spread of the virus from the Kandakadu cluster and according to the Foreign Ministry, an estimated 40,000 people are awaiting repatriation.