TikaWeeks #03-1/2021: Sri Lanka update
Posted by John on 18th January 2021
We have now received the official Sri Lanka Tourism Safety Protocols for arranging and running holidays on the island in the near future. We are still awaiting clarification or confirmation of the finalised list of certified ‘Safe and Secure’ Level 1 hotels (the health audit is still on-going), approved tourist sites, accredited laboratories for PCR tests, and guide or driver guidelines. The safety protocols currently in place will be reviewed regularly and there will most likely be variations to these protocols as time goes by. We will update you as soon as we hear.
The main take-away points from the Sri Lanka Tourism Safety Protocols (as at 06 January 2021) are, as follows:
Key points
- No minimum number of days is required for a stay.
- No restrictive quarantine required.
- Tourists must stay at certified ‘Safe and Secure’ Level 1 hotels for the initial period of up to 14 days.
- Currently, no exceptions are made for vaccinations taken; all safety protocols should be adhered to regardless of vaccination.
- All facilities of the hotel(s) are available to guests.
- Tourists may visit up to 14 approved tourist sites under the safety of a ‘bio-bubble’.
- Tourists must pay for PCR Tests (US$40 per PCR test, depending on the number of days of the stay) when applying for the visa online as well as COVID-19 insurance (US$12) with one-month cover of at least US$50,000.
Visa application
- All visas must be applied for online and the tourism mobile app is incorporated into the online visa application form; the mobile app is made available on both the Play store and the App store.
- All travellers are required to pre-purchase 2 PCR tests via the app; should the stay exceed 7 days, the traveller is required to purchase 3 PCR tests.
- Travellers are also required to purchase mandatory COVID-19 insurance at US$12 (for at least US$50,000 cover over a period of 1 month) via the tourism app (or during the hotel booking or airline ticket purchase) upon their application.
- Confirmation of a booking at certified ‘Safe and Secure’ Level 1 hotels for a period of up to 14 days should be shown; there is no mandatory minimum stay requirement.
- Upon issuing a visa, the details of the international traveller are sent to the area Medical Officer of Health and updated accordingly until their arrival at the respective hotel(s).
Pre-flight preparation
- Travellers should undergo a PCR test from an accredited laboratory and obtain a negative result, approximately 96 hours before their flight.
- A Health Declaration Form (HDF) should also be submitted prior to boarding, on-board the flight or upon arrival.
- COVID-19 insurance cover purchased during the visa process for a value of at least US$50,000 for 1 month.
Hotel accommodation
- All bookings to be made with certified ‘Safe and Secure’ Level 1 hotels for the initial period of up to 14 days.
- Tourists are allowed to stay any number of days with no minimum requirement, provided they continue their stay at a certified ‘Safe and Secure’ Level 1 hotels (pre-booked) for up to 14 days.
- During the initial 14-day period, guests can choose to continue staying at the initial hotel or any other certified ‘Safe and Secure’ Level 1 hotels (travelling under a bio-security bubble), providing their on-arrival PCR tested negative.
- Tourists are not permitted to move outside the hotel for a period of up to 14 days, except to approved tourist sites sanctioned by the COVID Taskforce and under a bio-security bubble, providing their on-arrival PCR tested negative.
- All certified ‘Safe and Secure’ Level 1 hotels have a unique QR code displayed so that tourists may provide feedback on the health protocols observed.
- Use of common areas such as the spa and pool may be permitted, subject to strict adherence to the general health guidelines, including social distancing.
- Hotel guests are not allowed to entertain locals, nor have functions that encourage mixing with locals, especially during the 14-day period at certified ‘Safe and Secure’ Level 1 hotels
- After the initial 14-day stay at certified ‘Safe and Secure’ Level 1 hotels, the tourist is then permitted to leave their accommodation and interact with the community (provided the PCR test results are negative), including moving to any accommodation of their choice.
- Public transportation is not encouraged, even after the initial 14-day period is over.
PCR testing
- Travellers should undergo a PCR test from an accredited laboratory and obtain a negative result, approximately 96 hours before their flight.
- The on-arrival PCR test (pre-purchased by the guest upon application of their visa) should be carried out prior to check-in. Movements of the guests should be restricted to a minimum until the on-arrival PCR test result is shown to be negative.
- The second PCR test should be conducted 5-7 days after the guest’s arrival. Should the stay exceed 7 days, an additional (third) PCR test should be carried out between the 10th and 14th day of arrival.
Travel arrangements
- Guests must adhere to the prevailing Health Guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.
- Independent transport must be arranged for each group of tourists.
- Refrain from interacting or mixing with different groups during travel.
- Domestic flights are permitted, subject to strict adherence to health protocols.
Visiting tourist sites
- Arrangements have been made to visit permitted sites on a daily basis, in a bio-safety bubble, with specific timeslots allocated for different tourist groups.
- Any special arrangements, including stops for meals, lavatory breaks or any other stops, must be indicated in the itinerary and should be carried out in consultation with the local health authorities of the specific areas in which the stops are planned.
Categories: Accommodation, Flights, Health, News, Sightseeing, Sri Lanka, Travel tips
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