Sri Lanka says all incoming passengers should obtain prior approval

2021-01-13 15:06:04 GMT2021-01-13 23:06:04(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

COLOMBO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Civil Aviation Authority (CAASL) said all incoming passengers would have to obtain prior approval from the Foreign Affairs Ministry or the Sri Lankan missions of the respective countries to enter into the island country in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, local media reported on Wednesday.

The CAASL said such approvals would be sent directly to them after which they would direct the respective airlines to issue tickets for approved passengers.

Sri Lanka is all set to re-open its international airports on Jan. 23 while adhering to strict health guidelines after it was shut since March last year after the detection of the first local COVID-19 patient.

Sri Lanka's tourism sector, which has gained international fame, has been one of the worst affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, affecting over 4 million people who depend on the industry, officials said.

The country has to date detected over 49,000 positive COVID-19 patients as it is in the midst of a second wave of the pandemic. Enditem

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