Quarantine measures amended for incoming travellers during COVID pandemic

While issuing revised travel-related health directives, Health Director-General today issued quarantine measures for travelers arriving from India, South American countries, South African countries and European countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accordingly, all travellers of two years and above arriving in Sri Lanka should mandatorily carry a negative COVID-19 PCR test report in the English language done within 72 hours before embarkation. But Pre-departure COVID-19 Rapid Antigen test report is not accepted, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka Chairman Upul Dharmadasa said.

He said according to the latest issued health guidelines, passengers from above travel restricted countries with a travel history including transit in the past 14 days should have a pre-departure negative COVID-19 PCR test report. All travellers of two years and above arriving in Sri Lanka should mandatorily carry a negative COVID-19 PCR test report in the English language done within 72 hours before embarkation. 

Fully vaccinated travellers who have not arrived from a travel restricted country (South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe) and released from quarantine with an On Arrival (Day One) negative COVID-19 PCR report, do not have to undergo COVID-19 PCR test on Day Seven. Vietnam has been removed from the list of Travel restricted countries.

Unvaccinated children of two to eighteen years who have been released with fully vaccinated parents should undergo a COVID-19 PCR test on Day Seven after arriving in Sri Lanka from a Ministry of Health approved Private Sector or State Sector Laboratory. 

Day Seven PCR test results should be immediately informed to the area Medical Officer of Health (MOH) by telephone or email.

Sri Lankan Citizens, Dual Citizens, Valid Resident Visa Holders, Foreign national staff members of the diplomatic missions or UN organizations with permanent offices in Sri Lanka who are holding Diplomatic/UN/Official passports should obtain permission from the Director-General of Health, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka before visiting Sri Lanka.

All Foreign Nationals who have been approved to arrive from travel restricted countries have to undergo mandatory Institutional Quarantine at a Quarantine Hotel and will be released from institutional quarantine only after obtaining a negative PCR report done on Day 14 of arrival in Sri Lanka. 

The above-mentioned individuals who have been approved to arrive from travel restricted countries have to undergo mandatory Institutional Quarantine at a Quarantine Hotel / Quarantine Centre and will be released from institutional quarantine only after obtaining a negative PCR report done on Day 14 of arrival in Sri Lanka.

They shall NOT be quarantined at a Safe & Secure Certified Level One Hotel, Quarantine Centre or a Residence.