Sri Lanka will defeat the COVID pandemic as it did every other major setback and will develop the Tourism Industry as well, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukkwella said.
Measures have been put in place to rebuild the Tourism following the comprehensive recovery plan despite many challenges from the pandemic, the Minister said.
The Minister was addressing a gathering at the opening ceremony of the PCR Laboratory at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday. Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga also participated.
The laboratory will issue reports in three hours for tourists at the Katunayake International Airport from Saturday.
The lab will carry out more than 500 PCR tests per hour and 7,000 PCR tests per day and results will be given out in three hours.
Passengers who receive a negative PCR test report and are fully vaccinated will not have to self-isolate before visiting the country.
Sri Lanka is the first country in Asia that owns such a modern PCR testing laboratory in the vicinity of an airport.
The lab charges US$ 40 from a passenger for the PCR test. It will be operated under the guidance and regulation of the Health Ministry.
The Minister said that the entire world is successfully fighting against the pandemic today. Israel has reached herd immunity by fully vaccinating almost 70 per cent of its people with a booster dose as well.
Since the earnings from the Tourism Industry is one of our major income avenues, it is necessary to support its revival,” the Minister said.
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