COLOMBO, Dec 17 (NNN-XINHUA) – Sri Lanka’s health authorities, yesterday said, vaccine cards had been made mandatory for all local and foreign tourists, who were visiting religious sites in the country, in order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Officials from the Health Ministry, said that, tourists and locals should carry their vaccine cards with them, or show an electronic version of the certificate.
Foreign tourists were requested to carry an English translation of their vaccine cards, for travel in Sri Lanka, the Health Ministry said.
Pilgrims and tourists have also been urged to leave the pilgrim sites, immediately after the rituals and tours conclude, in order to avoid large gatherings.
Sri Lanka has, in recent weeks, relaxed several restrictions which were enforced when the country faced a massive third wave of the COVID-19 virus since Apr, caused by the dominant Delta variant.
The country is returning to normalcy and has recorded a rise in tourist arrivals, especially since Nov, with tourism promotion campaigns also set to begin in several countries.
However, face masks have been made mandatory for all, and social distance must be maintained at all times, the Health Ministry said.
According to official figures, 576,966 positive COVID-19 patients have been reported since Mar last year, with 14,677 deaths reported.– NNN-XINHUA
