Tourism sector confident that new Covid variant ‘Omicron’ won't derail revival plans

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is hopeful that the new COVID19 variant ‘Omicron’ will not cobble its fast-tracked plans to resuscitate the industry but admitted that it was possible some cases may enter the country.

Omicron, or the B.1.1.529 variant, was identified by South African scientists this week and there has been a significant spread there. From yesterday, travelers with a travel history (including transit) within 14 days to South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland will not be permitted to land in Sri Lanka. And anyone who has arrived from those destinations is urged to undergo quarantine.

“We don’t have many South African tourists coming to Sri Lanka,” The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka's (THASL) former president Sanath Ukwatte said. “However, there is a possibility that it might be seen in Sri Lanka soon, too.”

“If so, we will be able to deal with this situation as we have dealt with other variants,” he asserted. “Vaccination has been highly successful, too.” It was impossible to fully protect people from contracting the new strain but strict adherence to health guidelines will prevent a massive outbreak, he said.

In recent weeks, there has been an influx of tourists. All cultural and recreational sites are now open and visitors can access any part of the country with ease, subjected to certain protocols. One of these is the concept of a bio bubble, particularly for unvaccinated tourists.

There are concerns, however, that tourists often stray out of bio bubbles, placing both service providers and locals at risk. “Initially, when the bio bubble concept was introduced, there was strict adherence,” said National Tourist Drivers’ Association's Vice President Callistus Amarakoon. “There are still a small number of unvaccinated tourists who follow this concept. They are subjected to quarantine and allowed to travel around the country after its completion. But the guidelines are not followed and some of them roam around freely.”

Originally, it was decided to ban tourists from using public transport. But this has been reversed. Tourism authorities should ensure rules and regulations are upheld, Mr Amarakoon said.