Sri Lanka: Government bans inbound passenger flights 23:59 May 21-23:59 May 31 due to COVID-19 activity /update 52

Event

Sri Lanka is suspending all inbound passenger flights 23:59 May 21-23:59 May 31 to curb the spread of COVID-19. Travelers with less than 12 hours of transit at any Sri Lankan international airport may disembark if holding proof of onward travel. Cargo, emergency, and outbound passenger flights are unaffected.

Nationwide bans on nonessential vehicular and public movement are in place. The curbs will be in force nightly between the hours of 23:00-04:00 through May 21 and again from May 28-31. Authorities will impose periods of continuous movement restrictions 23:00 May 21-04:00 May 25 and 23:00 May 25-04:00 May 28. During the defined time frames, residents must stay home unless attending essential, emergency, or employment-related tasks. People exiting their homes for permitted activities during the restrictions period must adhere to an odd-even rule; those with national identity cards or passports ending in an even number may go out on even dates and vice versa. Persons tending to emergencies and essential workers with valid employment passes are typically exempt from such curbs. Cargo transit, delivery services, and industrial operations may continue during the restricted periods.

Business, gathering, and transport restrictions remain in effect under a Level Three alert through May 31. Nonessential inter-provincial travel remains suspended nationwide; public transport services along such routes are available only to essential workers. Private and public gatherings are banned, except for permitted events. Transport services and most establishments are operating at a maximum of 50 percent capacity; grooming and recreational facilities are closed. The use of facemasks remains mandatory in public. All workplaces must utilize telecommuting to the extent possible; they must also collect and update employee details to facilitate contact tracing if and when necessary. Officials may reintroduce or implement stricter nationwide measures in the coming weeks.

Additionally, security forces continue to enforce curfews across areas at high risk for COVID-19 transmission. Under curfew restrictions, all nonessential businesses, except for specifically permitted industries, must close in designated areas. Essential shops, such as pharmacies and grocery stores, may open intermittently or provide delivery services. Officials advise that those living in or with recent travel history to curfew areas monitor their health and undergo COVID-19 tests if symptoms occur. Such measures will likely continue in Anuradhapura, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Hambantota, Jaffna, Kalutara, Kandy, Kurunegala, Puttalam, and Trincomalee districts, due to elevated disease activity.

Travel Restrictions
Inbound international passenger flights to and from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) are suspended 23:59 May 21-23:59 May 31. Current measures through 23:59 May 21 ban entry for passengers with travel history to India within the previous 14 days. Travelers from India may transit to destinations outside of Sri Lanka but cannot enter Sri Lanka. Permitted arrivals must provide a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken within 72 hours of flight and a completed health declaration form. Passengers must take another PCR test upon arrival and stay at a Level 1 or Level 2 hotel for 14 days; they must receive an additional PCR test between 11 and 14 days after arrival. Foreigners already in Sri Lanka may apply to extend their visas. Most outbound passengers must take reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (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 cruises and ferries are barred indefinitely, though port operations for goods transport continue.

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