Tourism sector to hold talks for cautious reopening
Text and pix by Amila Gamage
Tourism authorities will hold talks with health officials and the presidential task force with a view to working out guidelines ahead of gradually opening up the country for tourism, a senior official said.
Tourism Development Authority Director General Dhammika Wijayasinghe said she was optimistic that the sector could be revived by the end of July or early August.
She said the proposed talks would cover guidelines for accommodation providers, restaurants and transport providers.
She said talks would also be held with other tourism sector stakeholders such as the Wildlife Department, the Forest Department, the Archaeology Department and the Central Cultural Fund.
"We are hoping to work out a common programme to make tourist sites free and safe from COVID 19”
Ms. Wijayasinghe said, adding "we will entertain only small groups at the beginning."
Asked about the issue of stranded foreign tourists, the DG said that about 10,500 tourists were stuck in Sri Lanka and moves were underway to facilitate their departure.
"There was a group of Lebanese tourists going back to their country on Thursday. Some countries have requested PCR tests from returnees. So we will do PCR tests for such tourists," she said.
Stranded tourists' visas have been extended upto June 11. If tourists want to extend their stay, they are advised to submit an online application and book appointments with the Immigration Department in Colombo.
An official said the process would take 15-20 minutes and if any tourist was unable to come in person, someone else could come with the documents and a letter from the applicant stating the reasons why he could not come.
If stranded tourists are prevented from crossing district boundaries and are advised to call the hotline 1992.