National parks across the country will reopen today with a limit on visitors in line with the Government’s health regulations, Director General Department of Wildlife Conservation M.G.C. Sooriyabandara said.
Guidelines to reopen were issued by the Department on Saturday.
Accordingly, only 150 vehicles will be given access to enter the Yala and Udawalawa National parks a day. The Wilpattu National Park will be permitted 80 vehicles and Minneriya, Kudulla, and Wasgamuwa National parks 50. Only 50 groups will be permitted to enter the Horton Plains National park while 50 boats will be given access to enter the Pigeon Island National Park.
A spokesman for the DWC said that all directives and guidelines approved by the Government on the Covid-19 pandemic and the rules enforced by the Department must be strictly adhered to by departmental staff, visitors, guides and safari drivers.
“Individuals and groups who do not comply with the measures will not be provided with visitor facilities,” he said.
Bundala, Horagolla, Lunugamvehera, Galoya, Kumana, Angammedilla, Galweys land, Maduru Oya, Lahugala, and the Hikkaduwa National parks are due to reopen to visitors on June 22.
Wildlife bungalows and campsites will recommence work on June 29.
“All who enter the bungalows and parks should have a permit,” DG Sooriyabandara said. Online permit holders should have a printed copy of the reservation. He said visitors can track the number of vehicles that enter national parks using the ‘NPTraffic’ app, which is available on the Department’s official website.