Sri Lanka: Officials lift lockdown restrictions as of Oct. 1 /update 75

Event

Officials have lifted nationwide lockdown restrictions as of Oct. 1 due to decreased COVID-19 activity, though some protocols will remain in place. Interprovincial travel remains suspended. Authorities ban non-essential intraprovincial travel 22:00-04:00 nightly, with exceptions for medical emergencies and essential workers, among others. Businesses and public transport vehicles can operate at varying reduced capacities. Gatherings remain suspended.

Authorities may enact stricter rules 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.

Travel Restrictions
Inbound international passenger flights are operational with protocols. Flights carrying unvaccinated people may only carry a maximum of 75 passengers. No capacity limits are in place for flights with fully vaccinated passengers and people arriving via the Sri Lanka Tourism Bio Bubble program. Entry remains suspended for most individuals with travel history in the past 14 days to several locations, including Angola, Botswana, Eswatini (Swaziland), Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and all South American countries and territories. Sri Lankan nationals, resident visa holders, foreign staff of UN or other international organizations, and foreigners invited by the Sri Lankan government who have been to these locations may apply for exemption from the entry ban; these travelers must quarantine for 14 days at designated sites upon arrival.

People who can enter Sri Lanka 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. Fully vaccinated passengers are exempt from any on-arrival test or quarantine requirement. Unvaccinated entrants must undergo another PCR test upon arrival. Unvaccinated Sri Lankan citizens or resident visa holders must quarantine for one day at designated facilities; the passengers can then quarantine at their residence for 14 days if their on-arrival COVID-19 test returns negative. Unvaccinated foreign citizens, except resident visa holders, have to quarantine at designated sites for 14 days.

Fully-vaccinated Sri Lankan citizens and resident visa holders must quarantine at a designated facility for one day until an on-arrival PCR test returns negative before quarantining at their residence until the tenth day after arrival in Sri Lanka. Fully vaccinated foreigners must quarantine for 10 days at designated premises, while unvaccinated arrivals must quarantine for 14 days, and can leave the facilities only after obtaining negative results from all required PCR tests.

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.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Ministry of Health Sri Lanka
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Tourism Board