COLOMBO –The government on Monday (21) announced the relaxing of rules for inbound travellers allowing expatriate Sri Lankans and dual citizens to return to the country on any commercial flight subject to availability of seats and compliance with paid quarantining at a designated hotel.
The revised rules are set to come into effect from Saturday (26).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement issued on Monday, said the ministry together with National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) will also arrange special repatriation flights for migrant workers, students, patients, short term visa holders, government and military officials, who will be directed to government quarantine facilities. The repatriation process will be coordinated with the Sri Lankan Missions abroad.
The statement said Sri Lankans or holders of Dual Citizenship will be allowed to travel on any commercial/non- repatriation flights to Sri Lanka without the approval of the Foreign Secretary (or) Civil Aviation Authority. However, their travel booking will be subject to the limit of passengers per flight determined by the Civil Aviation Authority, based on concurrence/consultation of NOCPCO and in compliance with paid quarantining at a designated hotel.
The statement said it would be the sole responsibility of the airline concerned to ensure the passengers allowed on board strictly adhere to the paid quarantine and that the revision will be reviewed based on further assessments made on new guidelines.
The relaxation of inbound travel restrictions was based on the joint decision made by the Foreign Ministry, the Department of Immigration and the Civil Aviation Authority and was agreed by the Presidential Task Force for Economic Revival and Poverty Alleviation.
-ENCL