Sri Lanka now permits the entry of travellers to the Island. All those entering the country will be subject to a 14 day quarantine, which will be compulsory. Initially passenger flights were banned from 21-31 May, in an attempt to manage the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka.
However restrictions will remain in place for those entering from India and Vietnam.The Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), announced that all airlines have been notified with regards to the ban on passengers arriving from India and Vietnam. Those who have visited both countries or been in transit within the past 14 days, have been prohibited from entering Sri Lanka. The Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga commented saying that restrictions will have to remain in place,while activities related to tourism revival continue.
The Minister revealed that this decision was taken, following the sudden rise in Covid-19 cases. It has been discovered that there was a possibility for a new variant of the virus to enter the country from Vietnam.This variant is a hybrid of strains discovered in India and the UK,and is said to spread much faster than other strains of the virus.
35 airlines operated direct flights to Sri Lanka, before the covid-19 pandemic.However after the pandemic only the following airlines operated flights to Sri Lanka: Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Gulf Air, Turkish Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Air Astana, Ukraine Airlines, Singapore Airlines, China Eastern and Fly Dubai. Accordingly the following airlines will commence flights from today onwards:
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Gulf Air
- Turkish Airlines
The following protocols and guidelines need to be followed by individuals who wish to travel to Sri Lanka:
- Prior approval should be obtained from the Foreign Affairs and entry visa should be obtained. This does not apply for dual citizens of Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan passport holders.
- All those entering the country will have to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine at an identified quarantine centre or ‘Safe and Secure’ certified Level 1 hotel irrespective of the type of vaccine obtained.
- Travellers Sri Lanka must obtain a negative PCR test before departure from any of origin as per requirements outlined by the relevant airlines.
Inbound tourists can seek out more information with regards to Sri Lanka Tourism
