Sri Lanka: Officials suspend interprovincial public transport services indefinitely from Aug. 14 /update 68

Event

Officials are suspending interprovincial bus and train services from 00:01 Aug 14 in response to elevated COVID-19 activity. Individuals are only allowed to travel between provinces for the purposes of working in some essential industries, including transport, healthcare, and some export-oriented manufacturing. Authorities did not immediately announce the intended duration of the controls. Additionally, officials have said that from Sept. 15 onwards, individuals over the age of 30 will be allowed to access public facilities only if they have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

Other nationwide measures continue. Most classes of nonessential businesses and other venues can continue to operate with capacity caps. 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. The rules include carrying only a maximum of 75 passengers, though exceptions are in place for flights with fully vaccinated passengers and people arriving via the Sri Lanka Tourism Bio Bubble program. Entry remains banned for individuals with travel history in the past 14 days to Angola, Botswana, eSwatini (Swaziland), India, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and all South American countries and territories, 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. 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 English-translated certificate proving completion of vaccination at least two weeks before the travel date, take an on-arrival PCR test, and isolate at designated sites until the test returns negative.

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