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Business Travel During The COVID-19 Pandemic
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The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we work. Business-related travel, particularly international travel, has diminished significantly. For certain employers, travel for work-related purposes, both domestic and international, is a need, not an option.
Travel has been limited to prevent the spread of COVID-19; however, as restrictions, relax and organizations start to return to operations, we’re beginning to see an increase in business travel.

Many organizations are presently prepared to be adaptable with travel and expense policies for the safety of their employees. According to a new GBTA poll, 62% of organizations say they have modified their travel safety and security policies for their travelers and 55% of respondents report their company has instituted new trip endorsement procedures. Unnecessary business travel is being restricted, and employers have made business travel approvals more severe as it’s wise to err on the side of caution

Once COVID-19’s intensity disappears and restrictions across the globe are eased, businesses will have to move their focus from remote work to restarting corporate travel. When travel makes a comeback, you’ll need to be well-versed in the new normal for business travel, what it involves, and how it affects your employees.

The timing, impact, and duration of outbreaks of COVID-19 will vary by location and is uncertain. Therefore, an organization needs to be aware of travel conditions and changes by location. A growing number of countries have imposed public health measures to reduce the spread of the virus, and these can include border closures and restrictions on domestic and international travel. Mitigation measures can include restrictions on internal movement, bans on mass gatherings, closure of some non-essential facilities, and community lockdowns. Additionally, the availability of commercial and charter flights, as well as other forms of international and domestic transportation is increasingly limited, and limitations on mobility are likely and have been proven to occur at short notice. Because COVID-19 is such an evolving situation, organizations must implement a comprehensive framework for a return to travel just as they do for return to the workplace or operations.

Flights to Sri Lanka have been suspended for a time during the pandemic but the country is now reopening to travel. Upon arrival, passengers are subjected to medical screening, quarantine, and must hold several documents including approval to visit from the Sri Lankan Government.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, Sri Lanka has made some alterations to its visa policy.
At this time, eligible travelers can apply for the Sri Lanka electronic travel authorization (ETA), a digital document that authorizes the traveler to visit the island state for tourism, business, or transit.

Sri Lanka authorities ease travel ban for passengers from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates. Russia, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Armenia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Latvia, Georgia, and Kazakhstan Nationals currently residing in Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan are allowed to enter Sri Lanka with Tourist ETA for tourism.