COLOMBO (News 1st): A decision has been reached to vaccinate those engaged in the tourism industry against the COVID-19 virus, a top ministry official said.

“As per the decision reached, 250,000 individuals in the tourism sector will receive the COVID-19 jab. A request in this regard was submitted to the Ministry of Health, where it was observed that there are approximately 250,000 people in the tourism industry including hotel staff,” Sripala Hettiarachchi, the Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism told News 1st on Wednesday (Mar. 03).

The vaccines will be administered under two phases and the initial request is for 50,000 doses of the jab to be allocated for the tourism sector.

According to Hettiarachchi, under the 1st phase, priority will be given for staff members at Level-A hotels where tourists are accommodated at present.

The second and third priority groups include drivers engaged in the tourism sector and tour guides.

The vaccination drive targeting the tourism sector will begin next week, Tourism Secretary, Sripala Hettiarachchi further said.

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