The Government has amended the PCR testing procedure for fully vaccinated Sri Lankans returning from overseas during the current coronavirus pandemic.
Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella announced today that the measures have been taken for Sri Lankans who have been double vaccinated with an acceptable World Health Organization (WHO) approved COVID-19 vaccine.
He said fully vaccinated Sri Lankans returning from overseas will not be required to stay at a hotel for PCR testing.
The Ministry of Health will conduct the PCR test immediately at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake starting next week.
Upon a negative result the fully vaccinated Sri Lankan travellers will be released, the Health Minister explained.
Minister Keheliya Rambukwella added that the former cost borne by travellers and the time spent in waiting for the result to come at a hotel will be scrapped with this measure.
He further thanked Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and State Minister of Aviation and Investment Zone Development D V Chanaka for their support and industry in assisting him in overcoming this hurdle.
The Government has reportedly taken these measures after local media had recently revealed a hotel quarantine racket in Sri Lanka, affecting Sri Lankans returning from overseas during the coronavirus pandemic.
The amendment to the PCR testing procedure has been made with the intervention of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Thereby, Sri Lankan passengers arriving at the BIA will now be released within few hours after Covid tests without being directed to quarantine hotels. (NewsWire)