COVID 19 in Sri Lanka

1. Travellers Recovered from COVID-19

It applies to international tourists visiting Sri Lanka on tourist and optional dual citizenship visas, valid residence visa holders, Sri Lankan citizens who choose to enter the tourist route.

The prior authorisation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Civil Aviation Authority is not required.

There is no minimum length of stay in Sri Lanka.

This section refers to travellers with a Covid-19 history in the past 3 months and who are fully vaccinated or traveling to Sri Lanka after getting a single dose of the recommended Covid-19 vaccine in the country of origin (e.g. Astra Zeneca / PFizer BioNtech / Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Sputnik Light & etc.).

Recovered travellers from Covid 19 who are vaccinated but have not passed 2 weeks since the last dose are not considered fully vaccinated.
These travellers can travel under the safety of bio-bubble tourism and will be entitled to a shorter and more flexible period in the “Safe & Secure, L1” hotel.

2. Prior to boarding, travellers are required to:

a) Obtain a valid tourist visa before taking the plane.
All visas must be applied for “online” via the page  eta.gov.lk.

b) Before applying for a visa, make sure you have the following:

i. A confirmed reservation in a “Safe & Secure Certified” level 1 hotel for up to 15 days, depending on the length of stay and vaccination status.
Hotel bookings can be made directly with the hotel or through a travel agency or OTA certified for “Safe & Secure”.
Visitors can move around Level 1 hotels and use all hotel facilities after negative PCR on arrival.

ii. Purchase COVID-19 travel insurance at a cost of $12, policy with a maximum of $50,000 valid for one month.
All travellers must have covid insurance coverage (including children under 2 years old).

iii. Pay for PCR tests ($ 40 each) according to the status of your vaccination.

c) Perform a negative PCR test within 72 hours of boarding (children under 2 are exempt).
In addition, it is convenient to consult the requirements of the airlines.

Transfers to the airport will be arranged by the respective “Safe & Secure L1” certified hotel or the “Safe & Secure” certified travel agency.

a- Children between the ages of 2 and 12 will be exempt from the PCR test upon arrival (on the first day) ONLY if they follow the path of the not fully vaccinated.

b- Children under 2 years of age are exempt from the PCR test. However, if the parents / tutors develop symptoms or test positive for PCR, the children will be subjected to PCR tests.

3. At the airport produce the following:

• Negative PCR report (in English) taken within 72 hours of boarding (all travellers, except children under 2 years of age).
• Original vaccination certificate / card (along with a certified copy of the English translation). Also, for travellers who have recovered from Covid 19 with a dose of the vaccine, present a valid document (in English) certifying the information.
• Complete health declaration form.

4. PCR test on arrival

i. A PCR test is not required upon arrival in Sri Lanka for “fully vaccinated” travellers.

ii. Unvaccinated children:

• Children under 12 are free from PCR, being able to travel with their parents already vaccinated.

• Unvaccinated children between the ages of 12 and 18 must undergo a PCR test upon arrival at the Ministry of Health approved laboratory at Bandaranaike International Airport or a Level 1 “Safe & Secure” certified hotel .
If the PCR report is negative, they will be able to travel with their parents.

iii. A second PCR test is not required for fully vaccinated travellers.

5. Travellers not fully vaccinated
(travellers recovered from Covid 19 who did not complete 2 weeks after vaccination)

PCR test on arrival

i. All travellers must undergo PCR testing upon arrival on day 1 at “Safe and Secure L1 certified” hotels;

ii. Unvaccinated children:

• PCR testing on arrival is not required for unvaccinated children up to 12 years of age.

• Unvaccinated children aged 12 to 18 must undergo PCR testing on the day of arrival in Sri Lanka.

PCR / rapid antigen test on departure

i. Travellers will be subjected to the PCR / rapid antigen test completing 14 days from the recommended vaccination doses and, if the test results are negative, they can exit the bio-bubble.

ii. unvaccinated children:

a) Unvaccinated children under 12 are exempt from PCR / rapid antigen and can follow up with parents.

b) Children between 12 and 18 should have a PCR / quick antigen test to exit on similar dates, since their parents get negative results.

After the finalisation of 2 weeks of the recommended vaccination doses and the results of the negative exit test PCR / quick antigen, the doctor of the Hotel “Safe & Secure L1” will issue a downloadable document online for travellers coming from the Bio-bubble.

6. Accommodation and airport transfers

Fully vaccinated travellers can make their own reservations for accommodation, airport transfers, and local transport.

However, we recommend that you use certified safe accommodation and travel agencies certified with the “Safe & Secure” seal to ensure your health and safety.