Conditions of entry to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka opened its borders from 21.01.2021 to all countries (except the UK and those who returned from the UK less than 15 days ago). And from 02.03.2021, regular flights to Colombo will be resumed by Air Arabia with convenient flight connections of up to 2 hours in Sharjah.
What is important to know about the conditions for entering Sri Lanka:
PCR TEST BEFORE DEPARTURE
The document must be issued by an official laboratory registered in the country of origin of the document, contain the exact date and time of the test by the person; without any defects (corrections, erasures, amendments) and translated into English.
Must be made by the passenger no earlier than 96 hours before departure to Sri Lanka.
Must contain clear and correct data about the passengers.
Must contain a real "live" stamp.
The certificate must necessarily indicate that the tourist has undergone RT-PCR testing.
VISA
The cost of a visa is from 1120 UAH. Children under 12 years old receive a visa free of charge.
A tourist visa is valid for 30 days.
The visa is issued by a tour operator 72 hours before departure. A visa will not be issued after arrival.
To apply for a visa, it is necessary to attach copies of passports and PCR test results, as well as indicate which countries the tourist has visited in the last 2 weeks.
For a visa, it is mandatory to apply for special Sri Lankan COVID-19 insurance. Insurance coverage is $ 50,000, the cost of the insurance policy is from 335 UAH per person, the policy is valid for 1 month (insurance does not apply to other cases of illness other than Covid-19).
AT COLOMBO AIRPORT
Upon arrival at the Sri Lankan airport, you will need to present the original result of a negative PCR test in English, taken no earlier than 96 hours before departure.
In addition to the migration card, you will also need to fill out a health declaration form.
Provide confirmation of your Level 1 hotel reservation (voucher), insurance and a return ticket.
AT THE HOTEL
The hotel can only be booked from the list of Safe & Secure Level 1 hotels (current information on this website https://www.srilanka.travel/helloagain/).
There are no restrictions on the minimum stay.
When booking a hotel, you must pay for the PCR tests immediately - the number of tests depends on the number of days of stay.
The cost of 1 PCR test is from 1120 UAH per person.
All tests are carried out in the booked hotel by a special laboratory.
The 1st test is done on the day of arrival
The 2nd test is done on the 5th-7th day
The 3rd test is done on the 10th-12th day, but it is not mandatory if guests leave the island before the end of the 14 days of stay at a Level 1 hotel.
However, the third PCR test (between 10-14 days) remains mandatory if guests decide to extend their stay on the island for more than 14 days and move freely on their own.
Children under 12 years of age are exempt from PCR tests in Sri Lanka if their parents have a negative PCR test, but must bring a document confirming a negative Covid test no later than 96 hours before departure from their country. If the child develops COVID symptoms after arrival, the doctor has the right to prescribe a PCR test; in this case, tourists must pay for the test at the hotel.
REST
You can use the hotel's territory and infrastructure after receiving the 1st result of the PCR test; before that, tourists must be isolated in the room. But in practice, this remains at the discretion of the hotel.
Receiving the test results usually occurs 24-48 hours after delivery.
From the 5th day of stay and after the 2nd negative result of the PCR test, tourists are allowed to go on excursions organized by the tour operator.
Tourists are not allowed to leave the hotel territory during the 14-day rest, with the exception of excursions organized through tour operators.
At the moment, the state has approved 14 places for visiting.
It is allowed to change the hotel to another hotel from the list of Safe & Secure Level 1 hotels during the first 14 days of stay on the island.
Transfer from the airport can be organized only by the hotel or the host party.
After 14 days of stay and 3 negative PCR test results, tourists are allowed to leave the hotel and move freely around the island, but it is not recommended to use public transport on their own.
IF THE TEST AFTER ARRIVAL IS POSITIVE
Asymptomatic tourists will be isolated in the same hotel in specially designated isolation rooms.
Tourists with symptoms will be transferred to a quarantine center or a special medical facility.
The costs associated with treatment and subsequent control tests are covered by mandatory insurance.
Published 10.02.2021