COLOMBO, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan authorities on Thursday unveiled a PCR testing laboratory in the country's main Bandaranaike International Airport which will enable travelers to undergo a PCR test at the airport upon arrival and have their results within three hours.
Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said at least 1,000 tourists arrive in Sri Lanka daily, and each tourist will be charged 40 U.S. dollars by the Tourism Promotions Authority to direct them to the PCR tests at the airport.
Results can be obtained within three hours.
According to health officials, all those arriving in Sri Lanka are required to undergo a PCR test upon arrival at the airport and can enter the country only if the results are negative.
The minister said this laboratory will be operated under the guidance and regulation of the Health Ministry using technology that is in line with international standards.
The Tourism Ministry in collaboration with the Health Ministry said this facility would now end the mandatory one-day hotel quarantine which is required for all arrivals.
Since re-opening the borders on Jan. 21 this year, Sri Lanka had recorded 24,337 tourist arrivals in the first eight months of this year.
According to official figures, tourist arrivals in August increased by 107 percent to 5,040 from July, despite the ongoing third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Enditem
