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Fully vaccinated tourists free to travel anywhere during restrictions for locals
View(s):The Director General of Health Services has given clearance for fully vaccinated tourists and those who have completed their quarantine period to move out of the bubble and visit other areas of the country.
Health Services Director General Dr Asela Gunawardena on Friday conveyed the decision to all provincial Directors of Health Services, Regional Directors of Health Services and Medical Officers of Health.
Accordingly, tourists who have completed the mandatory quarantine period or obtained the vaccines can enjoy the facilities of the hotels with restaurants, bars, coffee shops and common facilities open for them under health guidelines and maximum capacity.
Tourist establishments with liquor licences will be permitted to serve liquor in house to guests with the approval of the Excise Commissioner General.
The Health Services Chief explained in his circular that as an important economic sector, tourism would continue operations during travel restrictions.
Meanwhile, with the Liquor shops closed during the current and previous lockdown periods, the Excise Department has suffered a revenue loss of Rs 30 billion, according to officials.
The revenue loss of Rs 15 billion was recorded during the May-June lockdown, while a similar loss has been recorded in the current lockdown.