Sri Lanka: Officials suspend interprovincial public transport through Aug. 1; a ban on travel from Vietnam lifted /update 66

Event

Officials in Sri Lanka are tightening domestic transport controls while marginally relaxing international travel restrictions, as of July 16. Interprovincial buses and train services will be suspended from July 17 through at least Aug. 2. Also, effective from 00:01 July 17, individuals with recent travel history in Vietnam will be allowed to enter Sri Lanka, though restrictions on arrivals with travel history in other specified countries continue. A ban on nonessential interprovincial travel ban remains in effect, with exemptions for essential service providers and selected government employees, among others. Public transport services in Sri Lanka face capacity restrictions, with measures varying by location. Most classes of nonessential businesses and other venues can reopen with capacity limits. Using facemasks remains mandatory in public. Companies must continue to allow telecommuting to the extent possible; they must also collect and update employee details to facilitate contact tracing.

Curfews remain in effect in areas at high risk for COVID-19 transmission. Nonessential businesses, except for specifically permitted industries, must close in these localities. Officials advise people living in curfew areas or with recent travel history to these locations to monitor their health and undergo COVID-19 tests if symptoms occur. Such measures will likely continue in districts with elevated COVID-19 activity.

Additional Travel Restrictions
Inbound international passenger flights are operational with protocols, like carrying only a maximum of 75 passengers. Officials continue to ban entry for individuals with travel history in the past 14 days to India, South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, eSwatini (Swaziland), Zambia, Zimbabwe, and all South American countries and territories in the previous 14 days. The entry ban for individuals with recent travel history in the designated locations applies to all passengers regardless of nationality and vaccination status.

All permitted arrivals must provide a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure and a completed health declaration form, regardless of vaccination status. They are also required to undergo another PCR test upon arrival. Incoming travelers who have been to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates in the past 14 days must obtain a negative PCR test result within 96 hours before the trips.

International arrivals who have not been fully vaccinated must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities. Fully vaccinated arrivals are only required to quarantine for one day if they present an original or translated certificate in English proving completion of vaccination at least two weeks before the travel date and isolate at designated sites until the test returns negative. Full-vaccinated arrivals must also undergo another PCR test on the seventh day after arriving.

Most outbound passengers must take RT-PCR tests within 72 hours before departure; foreign nationals and holders of official or diplomatic visas may be exempt. International passenger ships, such as cruise liners and ferries, are barred indefinitely; however, ports are operating for cargo transport. Foreigners already in Sri Lanka may apply to extend their visas.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure that contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Ministry of Health Sri Lanka
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Tourism Board
Civil Aviation Authority Email Address