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Sri Lanka border opening - FAQ’s

Here’s how Sri Lanka is coping up with the pandemic

SRI LANKA TRAVEL UPDATE/ 12TH MAY

Further to our last update on the 5th May, the government and the Health Ministry have implemented stringent measures amongst local community to manage and contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Following the request by the Doctors Association, inter-provincial travel within locals has been prohibited from 11th May. This short-term measure will be effective until the 30th May and will be reviewed.

 

However, tourists (irrespective of fully vaccined or not) are permitted to enter and visit the country. All visitors will need to be accommodated at safe and secure Level 1 hotels (multiple Level 1 hotels possible). Visit to any of the approved sites is allowed under the safe travel bubble. The only change has been that that fully vaccined clients are not permitted to get into the community on Day 2 as previously allowed.  

 

Daily Covid cases has been in the range between 1800-1900, the recovery rate has been in the range between 1,000-1,400 during the past week. Sri Lanka as of 11th May stands at a total of 129,000 in total cases with over 106,000 recoveries and reporting 827 deaths. We still believe our numbers are not astronomically high. Our fatality rate is only 0.6%. Recovery rate is at 82.2%. Daily active cases remain at 17.2%.

 

On the vaccine front, over 1.1 million people have now received their first doses and over 200,000 have been confirmed as fully vaccinated. As an emergency measure due to the delays in getting the vaccines due to the unfortunate situation in India, the government has been able to approve and have now started vaccinating part of the public with Sputnik V and Sinopharm which commenced from the 9th May.

 

In addition, the government announced that it is expecting 140,000 doses of Pfizer-BionNTech between June-September and a further 4,5 million doses between Sept and December. The government is confident of reaching its new target to cover a majority of the population before the end of the year.

 

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Tourist Arrivals

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Tourism arrivals continue as per the regulations and safety protocols which was shared earlier. Tourism per say, have no restrictions in place due to the success of the adopted safety standards by hotels/ resorts and service providers.

Currently;

  1. Foreign visitors are only allowed to book safe and secure Level 1 hotels only (up to 14 days)

  2. Visit any of the approved sites unless the area is under lockdown due to safety (Currently only Dambulla as a cultural area is affected and restricted)

  3. All National Parks, Whale watching in Mirissa and Sinharaja Forests will be closed for tourists until further notice

  4. The governments of UAE and Kuwait have announced they will not embark any passengers out of Sri Lanka until further notice (This applies to Srilankans or any foreign nationals either transiting)

  5. The government has temporarily banned any travel amongst Indian citizens due to the concerning situation

 

The government and the Health authorities assure that this temporary measure would benefit everyone in the next few weeks whilst obtaining the vaccines remains its highest priority.

Important

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Our honest opinion is that any travel prior to July should be tentative where you may discuss with our travel consultants who would provide you with advice. Our objective is to ensure that despite clients being fully vaccinated, that they are still safe to travel within the country and can enjoy the destination.

 

The “Safety Bubble” visits however are possible to visit the Fortress of Sigiriya, The Ancient Kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, The Kandy Temple of the Tooth Relic as well as the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.

Headline Summary

 

Sri Lanka is reckoned as one of the few countries / destinations who have successfully controlled the spread of the pandemic.

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  • Our International borders have been opened for Tourism since 21st January 2021.

  • Sri Lanka has been identified as one of the “10 Safest Places to Travel” due to its effective control measures, recovery rate and low number of COVID related deaths

  • The Tourism Ministry introduced a comprehensive safety guidelines and protocols document in July 2020 which has been updated last in April 2021 – Sri Lanka Tourism Safety Protocols.

  • The government & the Tourism Ministry has encouraged all Hotels, Restaurants, DMCs and Tourism service providers to implement safety guidelines and protocols so that everyone is safe

  • The Tourism Ministry has been conducting awareness and training sessions to National Guides, Chauffeur Guides, Drivers on how to on best practices within the new COVID guidelines and protocols

  • “Safe & Secure” Certification has been awarded to hotels, DMCs and other supplier categories on successful completion of stringent audits and in-person training.

  • For the approved list of Places of Interest and Monuments under the current bio-bubble, please visit -  Approved Tourist Sites & Attractions.

Updated Entry / Visa Policy

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Please click on the link below for details of the new regulations 

 

https://www.srilanka.travel/helloagain/

 

Sri Lanka Tourism Safety Protocols 

Travel is now Possible

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For Fully Vaccinated Travellers

(Those who complete the required doses fulfil the 14 days after the last vaccination in their resident country before departing to Sri Lanka)

  • These travellers are defined as fully vaccinated

  • Negative PCR test has to be produced 72hrs prior to departure

  • First PCR test will need to be done on the first hotel prior to checking-in

  • If the PCR report is tested “Negative” they will be issued a “Discharge” card upon which they are allowed to get in to the community

  • However, if any of their accompanying passengers who travel with them are not fully vaccinated (or not fulfil the required 14 days after full vaccination), they will need to strictly book only Level 1 hotels which is considered a safe travel bubble

  • If all are fully vaccinated, they are free to get into the local community and book other accommodation option which are not “Level 1” (however, they are required to maintain the local health guidelines)

  • The final PCR test needs to be done on Day 14 or based on the airline policy on departure

 

Travellers who have not completed their vaccinations (Those who are not fully vaccinated or do not fulfil the required 14 days after full vaccination)

  • Negative PCR test has to be produced 72hrs prior to departure

  • To be accommodated/ booked only at Level 1 hotels

  • First PCR test will need to be done on the first hotel prior to checking-in

  • They could book multiple Level 1 hotels and travel between them

  • They could visit cultural sites and perform activities which are only approved during the approved time pockets

  • The final PCR test needs to be done on Day 14 or based on the airline policy on departure

  • After 14 days (with a negative PCR report), they can go into the community (which means out the safety travel bubble)

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Progress on Vaccination

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  • Sri Lanka completed the inoculation of its front-line workers (Healthcare and Military Personnel) by mid-February

  • So far over 925,000 people in Sri Lanka have been vaccinated

  • The second dose of the vaccination programme has just begun

  • Further vaccines are expected in the next few weeks due to high global demand

  • The government has an optimistic plan to inoculate entire nation towards the end of this year (2021)

  • Sri Lanka Tourism is targeting to inoculate all persons directly involved in the Tourism Industry (Hotel Staff, Guide, Drivers, etc.) with a special vaccination program

  • So far 11 Authenticities staff, and majority of our Guides and Chauffeur Guides have been vaccinated with the first dose

Our Initiatives

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  • Authenticities was one of the first DMCs to be certified for "Safe & Secure" travel by Sri Lanka Tourism & audit firm KPMG

  • We produced our own safety guidelines and protocols which we have implemented

  • We are currently conducting awareness and training sessions amongst our Drivers and Chauffeur Guides on how to perform tours within the established guidelines

Our Pledge

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  • As global travel continues to be affected by the spread of COVID-19, we want you to know that doing the right thing by our guests is our guiding light

  • Please don’t hesitate to call us at + 94 77 361 3267 with any questions or concerns

  • The wellbeing of our guests is our priority. We are happy to share our safety protocol with you so that you are comfortable with what we have done so far

Headline Summary
Our Pledge
Travel Is Now Possible
Updated Entry / Visa Policy
Important
Progress on Vaccination
Our Initiatives
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