Colombo (ECONOMYNEXT): Sri Lanka is extending a ban on arriving passengers by one week to April 07 from March 31, the island’s Civil Aviation Authority said, but aircraft would still be able fly in with cargo, transit passengers and fly out with outbound passengers.

“..[A]ll international Airports in Sri Lanka will continue to be closed for the operation of inbound international commercial passenger flights (i.e. arrivals) until 2359hrs on 7 April 2020 (local time in Sri Lanka),” the CAA said in a notice to all airlines.

“This closure will be reviewed by the Sri Lanka Authorities.”

During the closure period the following will be permitted:

1. Aircraft Departures with passengers originating from Colombo, Stop overs, transit passengers or visiting tourists.

2. Emergency Diversions to BIA

3. Freighter Operations and humanitarian flights to BIA

4. Technical landings at BIA

5. Inbound ferry flights (without passengers) at BIA

Sri Lanka recorded the first death from Coronavirus on March 28, and the total confirmed patients went up to 109.