Tunisia exempts Polish, Czech tourists from covid-19 PCR test to boost arrivals

Tunisia Thursday lifted the required covid-19 Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for holidaymakers from Poland and the Czech Republic in a move to boost tourism arrivals in the North African country.

The tourism ministry ordered the exceptional move after consultation with the health ministry, Tunis Webdo reports.

The European countries are however placed in the second category, “orange” (high risk) in Tunisia’s rating of countries whose citizens and residents must produce a 72-hours old PCR test certificate before entry.

In a move to revive its critical tourism industry, Tunisia has established a three-category rating of countries whose citizens and residents are allowed for visit. The first category concerns countries where the level of contamination is under control or is low.

Tunisia last month reopened its sky after four months of hiatus to revive its tourism industry, vital for the economy of the Maghreb country as it accounts for 8 per cent of the GDP and is the second largest employment-generating sector.

Last month the country welcomed its first travelers since the suspension of flights. Luxemburg national carrier, Luxair, landed at Enfidha-Hammamet international airport with holiday makers coming largely from the European Union member-state.