Sri Lanka mulls reopening airports from August 1

COLOMBO (News1st) : The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has recommended reopening airports from August 1, seeking to end a four-month long shutdown following the outbreak of the coronavirus. "The committee members had pointed out that no coronavirus patients have been reported since April 30 from the community until to date," the President's Office said in a statement. The recommendation had been put forward during a discussion with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to revive the country's key revenue generating tourism industry. Sri Lanka had barred the arrival of tourists since March 18, as part of efforts to thwart the transmission of COVID-19 which has spread worldwide. "The President had pointed out that the advice of international and local health experts should be sought to re-open the country for tourists," the statement read. Hotels and restaurants registered with Sri Lanka's tourism authority were permitted to resume in house dining services as the country lifted most of the curfew restrictions on Tuesday. Consideration has been drawn towards allowing unregistered facilities to resume similar services under the supervision of Public Health Inspectors.