Tika Traveller

Discover Sri Lanka & Maldives From Those Who Know It Best

Blogs from Tikalanka are designed to enhance your knowledge of Sri Lanka and Maldives and keep you up to date with recent developments. We intend to post regular features on travel, news, lifestyle and accommodation as well as guest articles from current and past customers, which will give you first-hand experience of Tikalanka, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Category: Health

TikaWeeks #15-2/2020: Sri Lanka & Maldives update

Posted by John on 11th April 2020

EXCEPTIONAL TRAVEL ADVISORY NOTICE – The Foreign & Commonwealth Office advised British citizens against all non-essential travel worldwide on 17 March 2020 for an initial period of 30 days. This was changed to “an indefinite period” on 04 April 2020. This leaves Tikalanka and our customers in a quandary since no definitive end to the travel advisory implies that it may be lifted at any time, which means holiday bookings are in limbo right up until the departure date.

TikaWeeks #14-3/2020: Sri Lanka & Maldives update

Posted by John on 2nd April 2020

Curfews in Sri Lanka are subject to last-minute changes and checkpoints have been introduced. If you are already in Sri Lanka, the government has announced that visit visas will be extended to 12 May 2020. There are currently no commercial flights available to return to the UK from Maldives. If you cannot leave Maldives at this time, the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office has posted a 5-point plan of ‘What to do’.

TikaWeeks #14-2/2020: Sri Lanka & Maldives update

Posted by John on 1st April 2020

The WHO has commended Sri Lanka in the fight against coronavirus disease (COVID-19), as the president appealed to world aid organisations to grant concessions to developing countries at risk from the global effects of COVID-19. It is likely that flight options will become more restricted in the coming days. The Government of Maldives has declared a Public Health Emergency and imposed a daily curfew from 02 April 2020 until further notice. New travel restrictions are severely limiting commercial flight schedules.

TikaWeeks #14-1/2020: Sri Lanka & Maldives update

Posted by John on 31st March 2020

In Sri Lanka, the curfew imposed in Colombo, Gampaha, Jaffna, Kalutara, Kandy and Puttalam Districts is extended until further notice; in all other districts, the curfew will be lifted daily from 06.00 to 14.00. Colombo airport is closed to arrivals until 08 April 2020, although Emirates is resuming flights to Colombo (and Malé) from 01 June 2020. In Maldives, Malé airport is closed daily from 21.00 to 06.00, and all resorts are banned from accepting bookings and will close after the last guests depart.

TikaWeeks #13-4/2020: Sri Lanka & Maldives update

Posted by John on 28th March 2020

A nationwide curfew is in place in Sri Lanka, which is strictly enforced. This will continue until further notice in Colombo, Gampaha, Jaffna and Kalutara Districts. In Puttalam District and the Northern Province (other than Jaffna District) the curfew will be in place from 14.00 on 27 March 2020 until 06.00 on 30 March 2020 then re-imposed at 14.00 the same day. The curfew currently in force in other districts will be lifted from 06.00 to 12 noon daily.

TikaWeeks #13-2/2020: Sri Lanka & Maldives update

Posted by John on 24th March 2020

EXCEPTIONAL TRAVEL ADVISORY NOTICE - As countries respond to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, including travel and border restrictions, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises British nationals against all but essential international travel. Any country or area may restrict travel without notice. If you live in the UK and are currently travelling abroad, you are strongly advised to return now, where and while there are still commercial routes available.

TikaWeeks #12-5/2020: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 21st March 2020

There may be problems arranging transport to the airport for your flight home, although a number of taxi and tourism companies continue to operate airport runs, but will require advance booking. For once, I agree with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa that the Sri Lanka government “have taken all possible measures to ensure the safety of our people” facing the threat of coronavirus disease. We will see how the UK government’s actions compare as time goes on…

TikaWeeks #12-3/2020: Sri Lanka & Maldives update

Posted by John on 18th March 2020

The Government of Maldives has announced a ban on entry into Maldives of anyone who has left or transited the UK in the last 14 days, with effect from 23.59 local time (18.59 GMT) tonight (18 March 2020). This does not affect British Nationals already in Maldives who should follow the advice of local authorities. If you are already in Sri Lanka, the government has announced that visit visas will be extended to 12 April 2020, if necessary, although an extension fee will be charged.

TikaWeeks #12-2/2020: Sri Lanka & Maldives update

Posted by John on 17th March 2020

EXCEPTIONAL TRAVEL ADVISORY NOTICE – The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises British people against all non-essential travel worldwide for an initial period of 30 days. This advice takes effect immediately and it is the first time ever that the FCO has made such an announcement. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to unprecedented international border closures and other restrictions.

TikaWeeks #12-1/2020: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 16th March 2020

Today (16 March 2020) has been declared a special Public, Bank and Mercantile holiday to prevent the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Sri Lanka. The total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka is now 18 (17 active cases). All national parks as well as zoological and botanical gardens run by the Wildlife Department are closed for two weeks with immediate effect.

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