Sri Lanka: Officials suspend international arrivals with recent travel history to South Africa and South American countries as of June 5 over COVID-19 /update 57

Event

Sri Lanka has banned the entry of international arrivals with travel history within the past 14 days to South Africa and South American countries, as of June 5, due to COVID-19 concerns. The officials have not specified the affected South American countries. The measure also applies to people who recently transited through airports in the affected countries.

Authorities continue to enforce strict domestic movement restrictions while maintaining existing international travel controls due to ongoing COVID-19 activity. The nationwide ban on nonessential vehicular and pedestrian traffic remains in effect through at least 04:00 June 14. Residents must stay home unless seeking or providing permitted essential or emergency services. People may no longer exit households for essential purchases; they may avail home delivery services. Essential workers entering Colombo must obtain police-issued stickers for their vehicles since June 2; these are issued at entry points and are valid for 24 hours. Violations may be punishable by fines, incarceration, or vehicle impoundments. Cargo transit, delivery services, and industrial operations may operate normally.

Other business, gathering, and transport restrictions remain in effect under a Level Three alert. Nonessential inter-provincial travel remains suspended nationwide; public transport services along such routes are available only to essential workers. Private and public gatherings are largely banned, with certain exceptions. Permitted transport services and establishments mostly operate at a maximum of 50 percent capacity; personal 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 necessary.

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 are operational. However, inbound flights are restricted to carrying only 75 passengers. Travelers with less than 12 hours of transit at any Sri Lankan international airport may disembark if holding proof of onward travel.

Individuals who have been in India or Vietnam within the previous 14 days are barred from entering Sri Lanka. The measure also applies to people who recently transited through airports in either country.

Permitted arrivals must provide a negative result from a PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure and a completed health declaration form. Passengers must take another PCR test upon arrival and stay at a designated facility or Level 1 hotel for 14 days regardless of vaccination status; they must also 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 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.

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