Due to the Covid-19 situation all airlines have been informed to limit their passengers to Sri Lanka to 75 per aircraft (including crew members) for a period of two weeks from tomorrow (03) according to Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority.
Meanwhile Srilankan Airlines have provided a list of guidelines for passengers travelling into Sri Lanka (issued on 26th April)
The entry procedure for foreigners during the pandemic of COVID-19
General measures to travel into Sri Lanka
A.1 Approvals to enter into the country.
A.1.1 If Sri Lankan Citizens (including Sri Lankan Seafarers arriving by air) or Dual Citizens (if using the Sri Lankan passport to arrive) staying in a designated Quarantine Hotel after arriving in Sri Lanka, they do not need to get the prior approval from the Foreign Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka to arrive in Sri Lanka. They have to liaise with the airline and arrive in Sri Lanka after booking the Quarantine Hotel.
A.1.2 If Sri Lankan Citizens (including Sri Lankan Seafarers arriving by air) or Dual Citizens (if using the Sri Lankan passport to arrive) staying in a Government Quarantine Centre after arriving in Sri Lanka, they should get the prior approval from the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka (Email: [email protected]) to arrive in Sri Lanka.
A.1.3 Travellers arriving via Sri Lanka Tourism, should get the prior approval to enter the country via Sri Lanka Tourism through, https://www.srilanka.travel/helloagain.
Tourists / Foreign Nationals (including Valid Resident Visa Holders) / Dual Citizens / Sri Lankan Citizens, are allowed to enter through Sri Lanka Tourism and they do not need to get the prior approval of the Foreign Ministry. They have to abide by operational guidelines of Sri Lanka Tourism in addition provisions of this letter and other Health Ministry protocols on COVID-19 preventive measures.
A.1.4 Dual Citizens (if using the foreign passport to arrive) and Foreign Nationals (including Valid Resident Visa Holders) should get the prior approval from the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka (Email: [email protected]) to arrive in Sri Lanka, if not arriving via Sri Lanka tourism.
A.1.5 Foreigners arriving for important projects / meetings / discussions as invited by the Sri Lankan Government / Private Organization, should get prior approval from the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka (Email: [email protected]) for them to arrive by submitting necessary details with the letter of invitation from Sri Lankan counterpart.
A.2 Pre departure negative COVID-19 test report
A.2.1 All travellers arriving in Sri Lanka should mandatorily carry a negative COVID-19 test report in English language.
A.2.1.1 For Sri Lankan citizens: the test needs to be either a PCR test done within 96 hours prior o embarkation, or a Rapid Antigen Test done within 48 hours prior to embarkation.
A.2.1.2 For Foreign passport holders and Dual citizens: should carry a negative report of a PCR test done within 96 hours before embarkation.
Note: Airlines may request a negative PCR test result done within 72 hours prior to embarkation.
A.3 COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate/Card
Travellers who have received the recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine should carry the original vaccination certificate / card (together with a certified copy of English language translation if the certificate/card is not in English or if relevant data are not indicated in English in a non - English certificate / card) or a verifiable evidence of vaccination.
A.4 Procedures to follow after arrival
A.4.1 Each traveller should submit a completed Health Declaration Form to the staff of the Airport Health Office at the health counters of arriving airport. Separate forms should be submitted for each of accompanying children if any. Travellers who have completed the recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccination and departs from abroad after two weeks of completion of vaccination, should produce the vaccination certificate/ card to Airport Health Officer at arriving airport.
A.4.2 After completion of formalities at the airport, all travellers will be transferred to a Quarantine Centre managed by the Government of Sri Lanka or to a Hotel designated for quarantine or to a Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel. Transport shall be provided by the government authorities or the Hotel Management on a pre-determined manner.
A.4.3 Travellers should produce the vaccination certificate/ card to In charge of the Quarantine Hotel / Centre or Hotel Doctor at Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel.
A.4.4 On arrival (Day one) COVID-19 PCR testing
A.4.4.1 All travellers of twelve years and above should undergo COVID19 PCR test on arrival (Day One) from a Ministry of Health approved private sector laboratory or a state sector laboratory.
A.4.4.2 Children below twelve years of age will be exempted from on arrival (Day One) PCR testing, if they are continued to be quarantined at Quarantine Hotel / Centre / safe & Secure certified Level 1 Hotel. However, if the on arrival (Day One) PCR testing of an accompanying traveller of the child is positive for COVID19, child below twelve years will also be subjected to PCR testing subsequently.
A.4.5 Quarantine measures for persons having negative on arrival (Day one) PCR report
A.4.5.1 Quarantine measures for "Fully Vaccinated" travellers If the recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccination are completed and departs from abroad two weeks after completion of vaccination, they will be considered as "fully vaccinated" and following measures should be taken.
No further quarantine is necessary for fully vaccinated travellers.
In charge officer of the Quarantine Hotel / Centre or Hotel Doctor at Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel should discharge the traveller after verifying the status of vaccination (through documents) and issuing a "Discharge Document".
If there are children below twelve years, they can be discharged with fully vaccinated travellers by adhering to following measures:
Children of two to twelve years should be subjected to an on arrival (Day One) PCR testing and they should have negative results.
Children below two years will not be subjected to PCR testing after arrival to Sri Lanka and they will be discharged with fully vaccinated caretakers. However, if the on arrival (Day One) PCR testing of an accompanying traveller of the child is positive for COVID-19, child below two years will also be subjected to PCR testing subsequently.
A.4.5.2 Quarantine measures for travellers who have not received COVID-19 vaccination/ not completed the recommended doses of vaccination / departed from abroad within less than two weeks of completion of recommended doses of vaccination:
If quarantine is at a Quarantine Hotel (single room or shared facility only by family members)
Exit PCR testing will be done on Day Seven for Sri Lankan Citizens/ Dual Citizens and after the Day Seven negative PCR report is available, balance period (until completion of 14 days from the date of arrival to Sri Lanka) will be mandatorily home quarantined.
If the Valid Resident Visa Holder staying in a Quarantine Hotel, has a residence / home in Sri Lanka where they could undergo mandatory home quarantine for the balance period (until completion of 14 days from the date of arrival to Sri Lanka), they should give the address of the residence / home to In charge officer of the Quarantine Hotel.
They can be discharged from the hotel after conducting a PCR test on Day Seven and when the PCR negative report is available. They have to undergo mandatory home quarantine for the balance period (until completion of 14 days from the date of arrival to Sri Lanka) at the residence / home.
They should stay at the same address where they have declared to get discharged from the Quarantine Hotel. If they have changed the addresses after getting discharged from the Quarantine Hotel, they will be sent for mandatory quarantine at a Quarantine Hotel for 14 days.
For other Foreign Nationals (including Valid Resident Visa Holders who do not have a residence / home at the time of arrival to Sri Lanka, exit PCR testing will be done on Day eleven to fourteen and will be released after completing fourteen days, if the PCR report is negative.
If quarantine is at a Quarantine Centre (with shared facility)
Exit PCR testing will be done for Sri Lankan Citizens / Dual Citizens on Day Ten (and once the Day Ten PCR negative report is available, balance period (until completion of 14 days from the date of arrival to Sri Lanka) will be mandatorily home quarantined.
If arrived via Sri Lanka Tourism and stays at a Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel, quarantine measures to be adopted by travellers are detailed in Section (B) "Quarantine measures for travellers arriving from overseas via Sri Lanka Tourism".
Exit PCR will be done for all travellers of two years and above.
Children below two years of age will be exempted from exit PCR testing. If the PCR test result of an accompanying traveller of the child is positive for COVID-19, child below two years will also be subjected to PCR testing subsequently.
A.4.5.3 If completes the two weeks period of recommended doses of vaccination during their stay at Quarantine Hotel / Centre / Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel after arriving to Sri Lanka, they should be discharged with a negative PCR test result (done after completing the two weeks from last vaccination date). No further quarantine is necessary.
Children below twelve years should be discharged with fully vaccinated caretakers after conducting an exit PCR testing among children of two to twelve years with negative results.
Children below two years will not be subjected to PCR testing after arrival to Sri Lanka and they will be discharged with fully vaccinated caretakers. However, if the on arrival (Day One) PCR testing of an accompanying traveller of the child is positive for COVID-19, child below two years will also be subjected to PCR testing subsequently.
A.4.5.4 All children of twelve years and above should undergo quarantine at a designated Quarantine Hotel / Centre / Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel even if the caretakers are fully vaccinated.
These children may accompany an adult who is not vaccinated or fully vaccinated and eligible for exemption of quarantine.
If a fully vaccinated adult enters a Quarantine Hotel / Centre / Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel as a caretaker of a child or of an adult, should remain in the quarantine Hotel / Centre / Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel, until the quarantine period of the care recipient (child or an adult) is completed.
A.4.5.5 Fully vaccinated caretaker of a child or of an adult who is eligible for exemption of quarantine will not be subjected to exit PCR testing unless they have symptoms or person cared for (child or an adult) becomes positive/symptomatic.
A.4.6 If the PCR testing is positive, In charge officer of the Quarantine Hotel / Centre or Hotel Doctor/Hotel Management at Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel should immediately inform the area Medical officer of Health (MOH) and email the details to Epidemiology Unit ([email protected] and [email protected]). The treatment protocol of the Ministry of Health for COVID-19 patients will follow.
Immediate close contacts of the positive person will be further quarantined after assessing the risk by area MOH / Regional Epidemiologist / Consultant Community Physician of the RDHS office.
A.4.7 Discharging travellers from Quarantine Hotel / Centre / Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel
A.4.7.1 Procedures to be followed by In charge officer of the Quarantine Hotel / Centre or Hotel Doctor / Hotel Management at Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel when discharging travellers are as follows:
Should issue a "Discharge Document" to each traveller as stated in Section (D) for Reporting and recording by authorities.
After discharging the travellers, should email the details (as mentioned in Section D) to the Epidemiology Unit ([email protected] and [email protected]) of the Ministry of Health.
A.4.8 Procedures to be followed during the travel to residence / home to continue the balance period of mandatory home quarantine or after exempting quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers during the travel to residence/home / hotel (hotel is allowed only for fully vaccinated foreigners exempted from further quarantine).
A.4.8.1 Should arrange their own transport to travel to residence/ home/ hotel (hotel is allowed only for fully vaccinated foreigners exempted from further quarantine). They should not use public transport for this purpose.
A.4.8.2 Throughout the travelling, they should strictly adhere to COVID19 preventive measures.
A.4.8.3 Should arrange a spacious vehicle to travel.
A.4.8.4 Driver of the vehicle should properly wear a facemask throughout.
A.4.8.5 Driver and passengers should practice proper hand hygiene.
A.4.8.6 Passengers should sit in rear seats as much as away from the driver.
A.4.8.7 Travel with open shutters of the vehicle is recommended.
A.4.8.8 Should travel directly to the destination without any stopovers.
A.4.8.9 If the driver develops COVID-19 like symptoms, should immediately seek medical treatment and travel history of accompanying overseas travellers should be disclosed to the treating physician.
A.4.9 Procedures to be followed by travellers after going to residence / home / hotel (hotel is allowed only for fully vaccinated foreigners exempted from further quarantine)
A.4.9.1 All travellers should immediately inform the area MOH by telephone or email, soon after their arrival to residence / home. They shall not be subjected to further quarantine at home / residence.
A.4.9.2 Fully vaccinated foreigners (including Valid Resident Visa Holders) should immediately inform the area MOH by telephone or email, soon after their arrival to residence / home / hotel. Foreigners could get the assistance of the hotel management/ travel agents to find the contact details of area MOH. They shall not be subjected to further quarantine at home / residence/ hotel.
A.4.9.3 The discharge document issued by the Quarantine Hotel / Centre / Safe and Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel should be submitted to the area MOH upon request.
A.4.9.4 Travellers who have to undergo mandatory home quarantine at residence/ home should adhere to home quarantine guidelines of Ministry of Health.
A.4.9.5 If febrile or display COVID-19 like symptoms, should inform immediately to area MOH.
A.4.10 Travellers with negative COVID-19 PCR reports are allowed to travel to foreign countries during the quarantine period.
B. Quarantine measures for travellers arriving from overseas via Sri Lanka Tourism
B.1 Travellers should get the approval from Sri Lanka Tourism through https://www.srilanka.travel/helloagain Tourists / Foreign Nationals (including Valid Resident Visa Holders) / Dual Citizens / Sri Lankan Citizens who are arriving via Sri Lanka Tourism path should abide by operational guidelines of Sri Lanka Tourism in addition provisions of this letter and other Health Ministry protocols on COVID-19 preventive measures.
In addition to General Measures mentioned in Section (A), should apply the following:
B.2 Should stay at a Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel.
B.3 All travellers of twelve years and above should undergo on arrival (Day One) COVID- 19 PCR test and exit PCR (depending on the duration of stay in Sri Lanka) at Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel from a Ministry of Health approved private sector laboratory.
B.4 The Hotel Management / Hotel Doctor should act in the following manner depending of the PCR report
B.4.1 If the PCR test result is positive, the Hotel Doctor should take measures to admit the patient to an intermediate care centre operated by a Ministry of Health approved private hospital. Should immediately inform the area MOH and email the details to Epidemiology Unit and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
B.4.2 If the traveller departed from abroad after two weeks of completion of recommended doses of vaccination:
B.4.2.1 If on arrival (Day One) PCR test result is negative, the Hotel Doctor should take measures to discharge from Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel by issuing the discharge document after verifying the status of vaccination by inspecting documents. The traveller need not be further quarantined.
Children below twelve years should be discharged with fully vaccinated caretakers after conducting an exit PCR testing among children of two to twelve years with negative results. Children below two years will not be subjected to PCR testing after arrival to Sri Lanka and they will be discharged with fully vaccinated caretakers.
However, if the on arrival (Day One) PCR testing of an accompanying traveller of the child is positive for COVID-19, child below two years will also be subjected to PCR testing subsequently.
B.4.2.2 Hotel Management/ Hotel Doctor should email the details of discharged traveller to Epidemiology Unit and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.
B.5 If the traveller is not vaccinated /has not completed the recommended doses of vaccination / departed from abroad within two weeks after completion of the recommended doses of vaccination and if the on arrival (Day One) PCR is negative
B.5.1 Allowed to move between Safe Secure Certified Level 1 Hotels in a biosecure travel bubble and can visit approved important sites in a biosecure travel bubble from the date where the on arrival (Day One) PCR test negative result is available.
B.5.2 If the traveller departs from Sri Lanka within a period of less than five days of arrival, second PCR test need not be done unless mandated by the airline/ government authorities at the country of the arrival /transit or having COVID-19 like symptoms.
B.5.3 If the traveller departs from Sri Lanka within a period of five to fourteen days, second PCR test should be done for travellers of two years and above depending on the date of departure and should have a negative PCR test report before departure (eg. If the traveller departs on Day eight, second PCR test should be done on Day Seven).
B.5.4 If the traveller stays up to fourteen days or more, movement restriction should be for a maximum of 14 days and a second PCR test should be done on Day eleven to fourteen for travellers of two years and above.
B.5.5 At the end of 14 days of arrival, the traveller should be discharged from the Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel, if the PCR test result of Day One and Day 11 to 14 are negative. They should not be quarantined further. The Hotel Doctor should take necessary measures to release them from the Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel after issuing a Discharge Document.
B.5.6 Hotel Management should email the details of the discharged traveller to the Epidemiology Unit ([email protected] and [email protected]) and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority ([email protected])
C Seafarers or Maritime Security Officers (Sea marshals) arriving via airports
C.1 Foreign national Seafarers or Sea Marshals should obtain approval from the Foreign Ministry to enter the country and should be quarantined in an Isolation Centre (used to quarantine seafarers / sea marshals)
C.2 Sri Lankan seafarers / sea marshals who intend to board a vessel should be quarantined in an Isolation Centre.
C.3 Sri Lankan seafarers / sea marshals who do not intend to board a vessel but intend to enter the community should undergo quarantine in a Quarantine Hotel / Government Quarantine Centre as per the provisions of this letter. They are not permitted to enter the country through Sri Lanka Tourism pathway.
C.4 All seafarer / sea marshal operations including quarantine measures of seafarers / sea marshals arriving via seaports should be done adhering to the provisions in Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Ministry of Health.
D Reporting and recording by authorities
D.1 Reporting and recording by In charge officer of Quarantine Hotel / Centre or Hotel Doctor/ Hotel Management of Safe and Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel:
D.1.1 When discharging/transferring to quarantine at residence / home with negative PCR results, In charge officer of Quarantine Hotel / Centre or Hotel Doctor in Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel should issue a "Discharge Document" to the traveller with the following details after verifying the original vaccination certificates / cards:
Name of the traveller
Passport number
Nationality
Arrival Country
Date of arrival
Date of on arrival PCR and PCR Test result
Date of Exit PCR and PCR test result (if relevant)
Name of the COVID-19 Vaccine and Dates of Vaccination (If relevant)
Date of discharge
Balance home quarantine period from (date)../…./…20 / to (date)../…/…20 (if relevant)
Name of the Quarantine Hotel/ Centre/ Certified Level 1 Hotel
D.1.2 After discharging the travellers, In charge officer of the Quarantine Hotel / Centre or Hotel Management should email the following details to the Epidemiology Unit ([email protected] and [email protected]) of the Ministry of Health.
The Hotel Management of Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel should email the following details to Epidemiology Unit and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority ([email protected]).
Name of the traveller
Passport number
Nationality
Arrival country
Date of arrival
Address in Sri Lanka
District of residence/ home
MOH area
Contact telephone number
Name of the COVID-19 Vaccine (If relevant)
Dates of Vaccination (If relevant)
Date of discharge
Name of the Quarantine Hotel/ Centre/ Certified Level 1 Hotel
D.2 Duties and responsibilities of the area MOH
D.2.1 The area MOH, through the area Public Health Inspector (PHI) should monitor that the travellers are strictly adhering to home quarantine measures if mandatory home quarantine is required and if there is a balance period (until completion of 14 days from the date of arrival to Sri Lanka) to be quarantined.
D.2.2 Should monitor that the persons under quarantine are in good health.
D.2.3 If any person in the household develops COVID-19 like symptoms, they should be immediately investigated.
D.2.4 Details of all travellers arrived to their residence / home (including those are exempted from quarantine) / hotel (for foreigners who are exempted from quarantine), should be immediately informed to the Regional Epidemiologist and Epidemiology Unit ([email protected] and [email protected]). Details that need to be communicated are:
Name of the traveller
Arrival country
Passport Number
Nationality
Date of arrival
Date of discharge from Quarantine Hotel / Centre/ Certified Level 1 Hotel
Address
Contact telephone number
MOH area
All travellers should abide by the health measures imposed by the Sri Lankan Government during their stay in Sri Lanka.
This guideline will be revised depending on the COVID-19 situation in the country and global situation.
Latest update: 26th April 2021
Source - Civil Aviation Authority of SriLanka /SriLankan Airlines
https://www.srilankan.com/en_uk/coporate/emergency-news-detail/525
Meanwhile Srilankan Airlines have provided a list of guidelines for passengers travelling into Sri Lanka (issued on 26th April)
The entry procedure for foreigners during the pandemic of COVID-19
General measures to travel into Sri Lanka
A.1 Approvals to enter into the country.
A.1.1 If Sri Lankan Citizens (including Sri Lankan Seafarers arriving by air) or Dual Citizens (if using the Sri Lankan passport to arrive) staying in a designated Quarantine Hotel after arriving in Sri Lanka, they do not need to get the prior approval from the Foreign Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka to arrive in Sri Lanka. They have to liaise with the airline and arrive in Sri Lanka after booking the Quarantine Hotel.
A.1.2 If Sri Lankan Citizens (including Sri Lankan Seafarers arriving by air) or Dual Citizens (if using the Sri Lankan passport to arrive) staying in a Government Quarantine Centre after arriving in Sri Lanka, they should get the prior approval from the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka (Email: [email protected]) to arrive in Sri Lanka.
A.1.3 Travellers arriving via Sri Lanka Tourism, should get the prior approval to enter the country via Sri Lanka Tourism through, https://www.srilanka.travel/helloagain.
Tourists / Foreign Nationals (including Valid Resident Visa Holders) / Dual Citizens / Sri Lankan Citizens, are allowed to enter through Sri Lanka Tourism and they do not need to get the prior approval of the Foreign Ministry. They have to abide by operational guidelines of Sri Lanka Tourism in addition provisions of this letter and other Health Ministry protocols on COVID-19 preventive measures.
A.1.4 Dual Citizens (if using the foreign passport to arrive) and Foreign Nationals (including Valid Resident Visa Holders) should get the prior approval from the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka (Email: [email protected]) to arrive in Sri Lanka, if not arriving via Sri Lanka tourism.
A.1.5 Foreigners arriving for important projects / meetings / discussions as invited by the Sri Lankan Government / Private Organization, should get prior approval from the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka (Email: [email protected]) for them to arrive by submitting necessary details with the letter of invitation from Sri Lankan counterpart.
A.2 Pre departure negative COVID-19 test report
A.2.1 All travellers arriving in Sri Lanka should mandatorily carry a negative COVID-19 test report in English language.
A.2.1.1 For Sri Lankan citizens: the test needs to be either a PCR test done within 96 hours prior o embarkation, or a Rapid Antigen Test done within 48 hours prior to embarkation.
A.2.1.2 For Foreign passport holders and Dual citizens: should carry a negative report of a PCR test done within 96 hours before embarkation.
Note: Airlines may request a negative PCR test result done within 72 hours prior to embarkation.
A.3 COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate/Card
Travellers who have received the recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine should carry the original vaccination certificate / card (together with a certified copy of English language translation if the certificate/card is not in English or if relevant data are not indicated in English in a non - English certificate / card) or a verifiable evidence of vaccination.
A.4 Procedures to follow after arrival
A.4.1 Each traveller should submit a completed Health Declaration Form to the staff of the Airport Health Office at the health counters of arriving airport. Separate forms should be submitted for each of accompanying children if any. Travellers who have completed the recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccination and departs from abroad after two weeks of completion of vaccination, should produce the vaccination certificate/ card to Airport Health Officer at arriving airport.
A.4.2 After completion of formalities at the airport, all travellers will be transferred to a Quarantine Centre managed by the Government of Sri Lanka or to a Hotel designated for quarantine or to a Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel. Transport shall be provided by the government authorities or the Hotel Management on a pre-determined manner.
A.4.3 Travellers should produce the vaccination certificate/ card to In charge of the Quarantine Hotel / Centre or Hotel Doctor at Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel.
A.4.4 On arrival (Day one) COVID-19 PCR testing
A.4.4.1 All travellers of twelve years and above should undergo COVID19 PCR test on arrival (Day One) from a Ministry of Health approved private sector laboratory or a state sector laboratory.
A.4.4.2 Children below twelve years of age will be exempted from on arrival (Day One) PCR testing, if they are continued to be quarantined at Quarantine Hotel / Centre / safe & Secure certified Level 1 Hotel. However, if the on arrival (Day One) PCR testing of an accompanying traveller of the child is positive for COVID19, child below twelve years will also be subjected to PCR testing subsequently.
A.4.5 Quarantine measures for persons having negative on arrival (Day one) PCR report
A.4.5.1 Quarantine measures for "Fully Vaccinated" travellers If the recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccination are completed and departs from abroad two weeks after completion of vaccination, they will be considered as "fully vaccinated" and following measures should be taken.
No further quarantine is necessary for fully vaccinated travellers.
In charge officer of the Quarantine Hotel / Centre or Hotel Doctor at Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel should discharge the traveller after verifying the status of vaccination (through documents) and issuing a "Discharge Document".
If there are children below twelve years, they can be discharged with fully vaccinated travellers by adhering to following measures:
Children of two to twelve years should be subjected to an on arrival (Day One) PCR testing and they should have negative results.
Children below two years will not be subjected to PCR testing after arrival to Sri Lanka and they will be discharged with fully vaccinated caretakers. However, if the on arrival (Day One) PCR testing of an accompanying traveller of the child is positive for COVID-19, child below two years will also be subjected to PCR testing subsequently.
A.4.5.2 Quarantine measures for travellers who have not received COVID-19 vaccination/ not completed the recommended doses of vaccination / departed from abroad within less than two weeks of completion of recommended doses of vaccination:
If quarantine is at a Quarantine Hotel (single room or shared facility only by family members)
Exit PCR testing will be done on Day Seven for Sri Lankan Citizens/ Dual Citizens and after the Day Seven negative PCR report is available, balance period (until completion of 14 days from the date of arrival to Sri Lanka) will be mandatorily home quarantined.
If the Valid Resident Visa Holder staying in a Quarantine Hotel, has a residence / home in Sri Lanka where they could undergo mandatory home quarantine for the balance period (until completion of 14 days from the date of arrival to Sri Lanka), they should give the address of the residence / home to In charge officer of the Quarantine Hotel.
They can be discharged from the hotel after conducting a PCR test on Day Seven and when the PCR negative report is available. They have to undergo mandatory home quarantine for the balance period (until completion of 14 days from the date of arrival to Sri Lanka) at the residence / home.
They should stay at the same address where they have declared to get discharged from the Quarantine Hotel. If they have changed the addresses after getting discharged from the Quarantine Hotel, they will be sent for mandatory quarantine at a Quarantine Hotel for 14 days.
For other Foreign Nationals (including Valid Resident Visa Holders who do not have a residence / home at the time of arrival to Sri Lanka, exit PCR testing will be done on Day eleven to fourteen and will be released after completing fourteen days, if the PCR report is negative.
If quarantine is at a Quarantine Centre (with shared facility)
Exit PCR testing will be done for Sri Lankan Citizens / Dual Citizens on Day Ten (and once the Day Ten PCR negative report is available, balance period (until completion of 14 days from the date of arrival to Sri Lanka) will be mandatorily home quarantined.
If arrived via Sri Lanka Tourism and stays at a Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel, quarantine measures to be adopted by travellers are detailed in Section (B) "Quarantine measures for travellers arriving from overseas via Sri Lanka Tourism".
Exit PCR will be done for all travellers of two years and above.
Children below two years of age will be exempted from exit PCR testing. If the PCR test result of an accompanying traveller of the child is positive for COVID-19, child below two years will also be subjected to PCR testing subsequently.
A.4.5.3 If completes the two weeks period of recommended doses of vaccination during their stay at Quarantine Hotel / Centre / Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel after arriving to Sri Lanka, they should be discharged with a negative PCR test result (done after completing the two weeks from last vaccination date). No further quarantine is necessary.
Children below twelve years should be discharged with fully vaccinated caretakers after conducting an exit PCR testing among children of two to twelve years with negative results.
Children below two years will not be subjected to PCR testing after arrival to Sri Lanka and they will be discharged with fully vaccinated caretakers. However, if the on arrival (Day One) PCR testing of an accompanying traveller of the child is positive for COVID-19, child below two years will also be subjected to PCR testing subsequently.
A.4.5.4 All children of twelve years and above should undergo quarantine at a designated Quarantine Hotel / Centre / Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel even if the caretakers are fully vaccinated.
These children may accompany an adult who is not vaccinated or fully vaccinated and eligible for exemption of quarantine.
If a fully vaccinated adult enters a Quarantine Hotel / Centre / Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel as a caretaker of a child or of an adult, should remain in the quarantine Hotel / Centre / Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel, until the quarantine period of the care recipient (child or an adult) is completed.
A.4.5.5 Fully vaccinated caretaker of a child or of an adult who is eligible for exemption of quarantine will not be subjected to exit PCR testing unless they have symptoms or person cared for (child or an adult) becomes positive/symptomatic.
A.4.6 If the PCR testing is positive, In charge officer of the Quarantine Hotel / Centre or Hotel Doctor/Hotel Management at Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel should immediately inform the area Medical officer of Health (MOH) and email the details to Epidemiology Unit ([email protected] and [email protected]). The treatment protocol of the Ministry of Health for COVID-19 patients will follow.
Immediate close contacts of the positive person will be further quarantined after assessing the risk by area MOH / Regional Epidemiologist / Consultant Community Physician of the RDHS office.
A.4.7 Discharging travellers from Quarantine Hotel / Centre / Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel
A.4.7.1 Procedures to be followed by In charge officer of the Quarantine Hotel / Centre or Hotel Doctor / Hotel Management at Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel when discharging travellers are as follows:
Should issue a "Discharge Document" to each traveller as stated in Section (D) for Reporting and recording by authorities.
After discharging the travellers, should email the details (as mentioned in Section D) to the Epidemiology Unit ([email protected] and [email protected]) of the Ministry of Health.
A.4.8 Procedures to be followed during the travel to residence / home to continue the balance period of mandatory home quarantine or after exempting quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers during the travel to residence/home / hotel (hotel is allowed only for fully vaccinated foreigners exempted from further quarantine).
A.4.8.1 Should arrange their own transport to travel to residence/ home/ hotel (hotel is allowed only for fully vaccinated foreigners exempted from further quarantine). They should not use public transport for this purpose.
A.4.8.2 Throughout the travelling, they should strictly adhere to COVID19 preventive measures.
A.4.8.3 Should arrange a spacious vehicle to travel.
A.4.8.4 Driver of the vehicle should properly wear a facemask throughout.
A.4.8.5 Driver and passengers should practice proper hand hygiene.
A.4.8.6 Passengers should sit in rear seats as much as away from the driver.
A.4.8.7 Travel with open shutters of the vehicle is recommended.
A.4.8.8 Should travel directly to the destination without any stopovers.
A.4.8.9 If the driver develops COVID-19 like symptoms, should immediately seek medical treatment and travel history of accompanying overseas travellers should be disclosed to the treating physician.
A.4.9 Procedures to be followed by travellers after going to residence / home / hotel (hotel is allowed only for fully vaccinated foreigners exempted from further quarantine)
A.4.9.1 All travellers should immediately inform the area MOH by telephone or email, soon after their arrival to residence / home. They shall not be subjected to further quarantine at home / residence.
A.4.9.2 Fully vaccinated foreigners (including Valid Resident Visa Holders) should immediately inform the area MOH by telephone or email, soon after their arrival to residence / home / hotel. Foreigners could get the assistance of the hotel management/ travel agents to find the contact details of area MOH. They shall not be subjected to further quarantine at home / residence/ hotel.
A.4.9.3 The discharge document issued by the Quarantine Hotel / Centre / Safe and Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel should be submitted to the area MOH upon request.
A.4.9.4 Travellers who have to undergo mandatory home quarantine at residence/ home should adhere to home quarantine guidelines of Ministry of Health.
A.4.9.5 If febrile or display COVID-19 like symptoms, should inform immediately to area MOH.
A.4.10 Travellers with negative COVID-19 PCR reports are allowed to travel to foreign countries during the quarantine period.
B. Quarantine measures for travellers arriving from overseas via Sri Lanka Tourism
B.1 Travellers should get the approval from Sri Lanka Tourism through https://www.srilanka.travel/helloagain Tourists / Foreign Nationals (including Valid Resident Visa Holders) / Dual Citizens / Sri Lankan Citizens who are arriving via Sri Lanka Tourism path should abide by operational guidelines of Sri Lanka Tourism in addition provisions of this letter and other Health Ministry protocols on COVID-19 preventive measures.
In addition to General Measures mentioned in Section (A), should apply the following:
B.2 Should stay at a Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel.
B.3 All travellers of twelve years and above should undergo on arrival (Day One) COVID- 19 PCR test and exit PCR (depending on the duration of stay in Sri Lanka) at Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel from a Ministry of Health approved private sector laboratory.
B.4 The Hotel Management / Hotel Doctor should act in the following manner depending of the PCR report
B.4.1 If the PCR test result is positive, the Hotel Doctor should take measures to admit the patient to an intermediate care centre operated by a Ministry of Health approved private hospital. Should immediately inform the area MOH and email the details to Epidemiology Unit and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
B.4.2 If the traveller departed from abroad after two weeks of completion of recommended doses of vaccination:
B.4.2.1 If on arrival (Day One) PCR test result is negative, the Hotel Doctor should take measures to discharge from Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel by issuing the discharge document after verifying the status of vaccination by inspecting documents. The traveller need not be further quarantined.
Children below twelve years should be discharged with fully vaccinated caretakers after conducting an exit PCR testing among children of two to twelve years with negative results. Children below two years will not be subjected to PCR testing after arrival to Sri Lanka and they will be discharged with fully vaccinated caretakers.
However, if the on arrival (Day One) PCR testing of an accompanying traveller of the child is positive for COVID-19, child below two years will also be subjected to PCR testing subsequently.
B.4.2.2 Hotel Management/ Hotel Doctor should email the details of discharged traveller to Epidemiology Unit and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.
B.5 If the traveller is not vaccinated /has not completed the recommended doses of vaccination / departed from abroad within two weeks after completion of the recommended doses of vaccination and if the on arrival (Day One) PCR is negative
B.5.1 Allowed to move between Safe Secure Certified Level 1 Hotels in a biosecure travel bubble and can visit approved important sites in a biosecure travel bubble from the date where the on arrival (Day One) PCR test negative result is available.
B.5.2 If the traveller departs from Sri Lanka within a period of less than five days of arrival, second PCR test need not be done unless mandated by the airline/ government authorities at the country of the arrival /transit or having COVID-19 like symptoms.
B.5.3 If the traveller departs from Sri Lanka within a period of five to fourteen days, second PCR test should be done for travellers of two years and above depending on the date of departure and should have a negative PCR test report before departure (eg. If the traveller departs on Day eight, second PCR test should be done on Day Seven).
B.5.4 If the traveller stays up to fourteen days or more, movement restriction should be for a maximum of 14 days and a second PCR test should be done on Day eleven to fourteen for travellers of two years and above.
B.5.5 At the end of 14 days of arrival, the traveller should be discharged from the Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel, if the PCR test result of Day One and Day 11 to 14 are negative. They should not be quarantined further. The Hotel Doctor should take necessary measures to release them from the Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel after issuing a Discharge Document.
B.5.6 Hotel Management should email the details of the discharged traveller to the Epidemiology Unit ([email protected] and [email protected]) and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority ([email protected])
C Seafarers or Maritime Security Officers (Sea marshals) arriving via airports
C.1 Foreign national Seafarers or Sea Marshals should obtain approval from the Foreign Ministry to enter the country and should be quarantined in an Isolation Centre (used to quarantine seafarers / sea marshals)
C.2 Sri Lankan seafarers / sea marshals who intend to board a vessel should be quarantined in an Isolation Centre.
C.3 Sri Lankan seafarers / sea marshals who do not intend to board a vessel but intend to enter the community should undergo quarantine in a Quarantine Hotel / Government Quarantine Centre as per the provisions of this letter. They are not permitted to enter the country through Sri Lanka Tourism pathway.
C.4 All seafarer / sea marshal operations including quarantine measures of seafarers / sea marshals arriving via seaports should be done adhering to the provisions in Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Ministry of Health.
D Reporting and recording by authorities
D.1 Reporting and recording by In charge officer of Quarantine Hotel / Centre or Hotel Doctor/ Hotel Management of Safe and Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel:
D.1.1 When discharging/transferring to quarantine at residence / home with negative PCR results, In charge officer of Quarantine Hotel / Centre or Hotel Doctor in Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel should issue a "Discharge Document" to the traveller with the following details after verifying the original vaccination certificates / cards:
Name of the traveller
Passport number
Nationality
Arrival Country
Date of arrival
Date of on arrival PCR and PCR Test result
Date of Exit PCR and PCR test result (if relevant)
Name of the COVID-19 Vaccine and Dates of Vaccination (If relevant)
Date of discharge
Balance home quarantine period from (date)../…./…20 / to (date)../…/…20 (if relevant)
Name of the Quarantine Hotel/ Centre/ Certified Level 1 Hotel
D.1.2 After discharging the travellers, In charge officer of the Quarantine Hotel / Centre or Hotel Management should email the following details to the Epidemiology Unit ([email protected] and [email protected]) of the Ministry of Health.
The Hotel Management of Safe & Secure Certified Level 1 Hotel should email the following details to Epidemiology Unit and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority ([email protected]).
Name of the traveller
Passport number
Nationality
Arrival country
Date of arrival
Address in Sri Lanka
District of residence/ home
MOH area
Contact telephone number
Name of the COVID-19 Vaccine (If relevant)
Dates of Vaccination (If relevant)
Date of discharge
Name of the Quarantine Hotel/ Centre/ Certified Level 1 Hotel
D.2 Duties and responsibilities of the area MOH
D.2.1 The area MOH, through the area Public Health Inspector (PHI) should monitor that the travellers are strictly adhering to home quarantine measures if mandatory home quarantine is required and if there is a balance period (until completion of 14 days from the date of arrival to Sri Lanka) to be quarantined.
D.2.2 Should monitor that the persons under quarantine are in good health.
D.2.3 If any person in the household develops COVID-19 like symptoms, they should be immediately investigated.
D.2.4 Details of all travellers arrived to their residence / home (including those are exempted from quarantine) / hotel (for foreigners who are exempted from quarantine), should be immediately informed to the Regional Epidemiologist and Epidemiology Unit ([email protected] and [email protected]). Details that need to be communicated are:
Name of the traveller
Arrival country
Passport Number
Nationality
Date of arrival
Date of discharge from Quarantine Hotel / Centre/ Certified Level 1 Hotel
Address
Contact telephone number
MOH area
All travellers should abide by the health measures imposed by the Sri Lankan Government during their stay in Sri Lanka.
This guideline will be revised depending on the COVID-19 situation in the country and global situation.
Latest update: 26th April 2021
Source - Civil Aviation Authority of SriLanka /SriLankan Airlines
https://www.srilankan.com/en_uk/coporate/emergency-news-detail/525
