Sunday, June 7, 2020

Sri Lanka to welcome tourists from Aug. 1

Sri Lanka Tourism is readying to welcome travelers from across the world with safety guidelines and precautionary measures.

All nationalities are welcome and all types of travellers whether groups, families, individuals too could visit Sri Lanka a release from Sri Lanka Tourism said.

Bandaranaike International Airport [BIA], Colombo Ratmalana Airport [RMA] and Mattala Rajapaksa Hambantota Airport [MRIA] will be operating for tourist arrivals from August 1, 2020.

All travelers will require a valid visa and this will be issued for 30 days and extendable for up to 6 months after arrival. Online visa could obtained from http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/

“Further relaxation for long stay guests is currently under consideration, enabling tourist to be granted five-year multiple entry visas with maximum 6 months stay and the Visa fee would be US$100.” the release adds.

Following information will be required for visa application, Booking details at Certified Accommodation, Itinerary in Sri Lanka, Return ticket and Proof of medical insurance.

A minimum 5-night stay in Sri Lanka is required. In addition Independent professional audits will be done to certify accommodation providers who will be listed on the Sri Lanka tourism website. Details of bookings made with Certified Accommodation providers are required for the visa application

A negative PCR test is required prior to boarding flight and on arrival in Sri Lanka. The test should be no older than 72 hours prior to boarding.

On arrival in Sri Lanka the airport will have high intensity sanitation measures in place for all areas and staff. They are,

lThere is no quarantine on arrival unless symptoms are detected.

lA PCR test would be done on arrival at the airport. No charge.

lCurrently it takes 24 hours to receive the test results. We are making changes to have results within 4-6 hours by August. In the event it is required to wait 24 hours for test results; you will be able to select a hotel for a one-night stay from Certified 4 or 5-star hotels in Colombo or Negombo until the test results are received.

lA further test will be done 4-5 days after arrival by a mobile unit in coordination with your Certified Accommodation provider.

lTravelers staying for more than 10 days will be required to take a third test during their stay. While this may be inconvenient it is essential to safeguard everybody and provide peace of mind.

lIn case of a positive PCR result, quarantine in a designated hotel or hospitalisation will take place depending on the details of the case. Quarantine would usually be 14 to 21 days if symptoms are detected.

When Tourists are moving around Sri Lanka to ensure their safety, transportation should be arranged prior to arrival, with Certified Accommodation providers or travel agents. “Public transport should not be used.”

“All tourist sites will be open from the August 1, onwards with safety protocols and measures in place to ensure the wellbeing of our travelers.”

There will be no travel restrictions between districts for tourists as well.

“Being an island, and thanks to the proactive measures taken, Sri Lanka has been able to manage the spread of the virus. No active community clusters have been detected in the last 30 days within the country.”

 


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