update travel regulations sri lanka

Further to the update released on 19 April 2021 by the local Health Ministry, please take note of the relevant revised protocols (in Bold) regarding travel to Sri Lanka.

Prior to boarding travellers are required to:

1. Have a valid tourist visa before boarding the flight, applied online via eta.gov.lk.
Before applying for the visa, travellers are required to have the following;

  • A pre-confirmed booking at a Level 1 ’Safe & Secure’ hotel; depending on the duration of your stay and vaccination status. 24-48 hrs for vaccinated and 14 days for not vaccinated. Allowed to move within Level 1 hotels and use all facilities of the hotel.
  • Obtain COVID-19 local travel insurance cover for USD 12 for a policy of USD 50,000 for a period of one month is mandatory (despite the vaccination status all visitors are required to obtain a COVID insurance cover)
  • Pay for PCR tests (USD 40 per PCR test) depending on the number of days of stay and vaccination status.

                       *If vaccinated 1 PCR test on arrival.
                      *If not vaccinated 2 PCR tests, on arrival and exit PCR. However, if the stay is less than 5 days, no exit PCR required.
                      *Children below 2 years are exempted from PCR testing.
                      *Children between 2-12 years,
                                          • Vaccinated route – undergo only on-arrival PCR.
                                          • Not-vaccinated route – undergo only exit PCR.

2. Have a negative PCR test done within 72 hours before boarding the flight.

3. Airport transfers should be arranged by a Certified Safe & Secure travel agent or another certified secondary party.

Protocol for Vaccinated Travellers

1.

• Travellers who have completed the recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccination and arriving after two weeks of completion of vaccination will be considered ’vaccinated’.
•  Any vaccination accepted by the country of origin is acceptable under the vaccinated route.
• Children below 12 years are permitted to accompany their parents/guardians who are fully vaccinated.
           * Children 2 years and above are required to do one PCR test (On arrival)
          * Children below 2 years are exempted from PCR tests. However, if the parents/guardians develop symptoms or result in positive PCR test reports, children will undergo PCR tests.

2. 

At the airport produce the following;
a. Negative COVID-19 PCR report (in English) taken within 72 hours before the flight.
b. Original copy of the vaccination certificate (in English).
c. Completed Health Declaration Form.

3.

Stay at a Certified Safe & Secure Level 1 hotel until the on-arrival PCR test is performed (for 24-48 hours). Travellers are permitted to use all the facilities of the Certified Safe & Secure Level 1 hotels.

4.

On receipt of a negative PCR test report, travellers are permitted to leave the bio-bubble. The respective Level 1 hotel doctor will issue a discharge document upon verifying the status of vaccination and PCR test results.

Protocol for Travellers who are not vaccinated 

1. 

• Travellers who have not completed the COVID 19 vaccination or arrive in Sri Lanka less than two weeks of vaccination or accompany children above 12 years who are not vaccinated are considered ‘Not-Vaccinated’.
• Under this route children below 12 years are exempted from on-arrival PCR testing. However, children between 2 to 12 years will undergo an ’Exit PCR’ testing.
• Children below 2 years are exempted from PCR testing. However, if the parents/guardians develop symptoms or result in positive PCR test reports children will undergo PCR tests.

2. 

At the airport produce the following;
a. Negative COVID-19 PCR report (in English) taken within 72 hours before the flight.
b. Completed Health Declaration Form.

3. 

Stay at a Certified Safe & Secure Level 1 hotel/s for up to the first 14 days of the visit and undergo an on-arrival PCR test. Travellers are allowed to stay at any number of Certified Safe & Secure Level 1 hotels and are permitted to use all facilities of the hotel. Travellers are also allowed to visit approved tourist sites in a bio bubble. 

4. 

Perform the second PCR;
a. If the stay is more than 14 days – perform PCR on 11-14th day of arrival. Upon negative results for both PCRs, travellers are allowed to leave the bio-bubble and the respective Level 1 hotel doctor will issue a discharge document upon verifying the PCR test results.
b. If the stay is between 5-14 days – perform the PCR depending on the date of departure (i.e. 24-48 hours before departure).
c. If the stay is less than 5 days – no exit PCR required.

These guidelines will be reviewed by the relevant authorities depending on the COVID-19 status in the country and global situation, wherein such an event we will keep you updated no sooner the verified news is received.