Daily Mirror - Print Edition

If PCR is negative Fully vaccinated SL citizens need not stay in hotels: Minister

17 Sep 2021 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}      

  • The entire process would be over within 4 to 6 hours after their arrival,  
  • If the Sri Lankans who are returning, have been fully vaccinated with an accepted WHO vaccines, they won’t be required to  stay in hotels to get their PCR tests

By Sunil Jayasiri  

The fully vaccinated Sri Lankan citizens returning from overseas will not be required to stay at a hotel for PCR testing, if their test result proved negative during the on-arrival testing at the BIA or Mattala Air Ports from next week, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.  

“ If the Sri Lankans who are returning, have been fully vaccinated with an accepted World Health Organization vaccines, they won’t be required to stay in hotels to get their PCR tests, from next week onwards as the Ministry of Health will conduct the PCR test soon after they land at the airport and the travellers would be released if the results prove negative,” the Minister told the Daily Mirror yesterday.  He said the Aviation Ministry agreed to provide logistical support at the airport and the Health Ministry officials will do the PCR testing on the inbound travellers accordingly.  


“ The entire process would be over within 4 to 6 hours after their arrival,and thereafter the travellers will be free to exit if the results are negative,” he said.  “The cost of these have been borne by the travellers and the time consumed awaiting the test result at a hotel will be scrapped with this measure taken,” the Minister added.