• Fully vaccinated residents not required to quarantine if first PCR is negative
• Others must undergo quarantine for 7 days at centre or hotel
• Remainder of 14-day quarantine to be completed at home
• Fully vaccinated tourists to undergo hotel quarantine for 7 days
• Can visit approved sites in bio-security bubble

Revised guidelines for inbound overseas travellers were yesterday introduced by the Health Ministry, outlining quarantine requirements depending on the individual and their vaccination status.

According to a circular signed by Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, all incoming passengers will require approval from the Foreign Ministry, other relevant authorities or Sri Lanka Tourism, in order to enter the country. All passengers must also submit a health declaration form to the Airport Health Office at health counters in the arriving airport.

Citizens, dual citizens and foreign nationals

The first section of guidelines looks at quarantine measures for Sri Lankan citizens, dual citizens, and foreign nationals.

Fully vaccinated passengers arriving two weeks after vaccination should remain at a quarantine hotel or centre until they receive the results of the first PCR test, which will be performed within 24 hours of arrival. The individual must then go home using transport they have arranged and inform the area Medical Officer of Health (MOH) immediately by phone or email and produce the discharge document issued to them by the quarantine authority at the hotel or centre.

The individual need not quarantine further but must practice COVID-19 preventive measures throughout their travel. They must also undergo a second PCR test seven days after they arrive in the island and must inform the area MOH upon receiving the results or if they display fever or respiratory symptoms.

Persons who have not been vaccinated, who have not completed vaccination, or travel to Sri Lanka within two weeks of vaccination, can either undergo quarantine in a hotel, where they can have a room for themselves or share with a family member, or at a centre with shared facilities.

Persons undergoing quarantine in a hotel must be subjected to a PCR test on the first and seventh day and will be released if the second PCR tests comes back negative. They must arrange transport to their homes, and the driver of the vehicle must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and adhere to COVID-19 preventive measures.

The area MOH must be informed of their arrival at home as well as PCR results, discharge document, and if the individual displays fever or respiratory symptoms. For the remainder of the 14-day quarantine, the individual will be required to home quarantine under the supervision of the MOH.

Persons undergoing centre-based quarantine will be tested on the first and 10th days and can be released from quarantine if the second PCR test is negative. They must also arrange for transport back home and the driver must wear appropriate PPE and adhere to preventive measures.

The MOH must also be informed of their arrival at home, PCR results, any symptoms and the discharge document. The individual must undergo the remainder of the 14-day quarantine under the supervision of the area MOH at home.

Tourists

The second part of the guidelines look at tourists arriving in the country via Sri Lanka Tourism. Tourists who have completed vaccination and are arriving two weeks after vaccination must be quarantined in a certified hotel for tourists and must be subjected to a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival.

The hotel management must take measures to inform the area MOH on the day of arrival and must also have with them a copy of the tourist’s vaccination certificate along with an English translation if the certificate is not in English. The MOH must also be informed if the individual displays fever or respiratory symptoms.

If the day one PCR test is negative, the tourist must remain in the hotel until the seventh day but can visit approved sites in a bio-security bubble between the day when the report of the first PCR test is issued and the seventh day.

If the second PCR test is negative, the tourist can leave the hotel and make travel arrangements of their own with a travel agent after clearance from the MOH.

Tourists who have not been vaccinated, who have not completed vaccination or are travelling within two weeks of vaccination must undergo quarantine at a certified hotel for tourists and undergo a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival.

The area MOH should be informed of the tourist’s arrival by the hotel management and if they display fever or respiratory symptoms.

If the tourist will be in the country for less than 96 hours, there is no need for an exit PCR test unless it is required by the airline or country of destination.

If the tourist will be in Sri Lanka for less than 14 days, the PCR test must be performed so that the report is issued by the day of departure.

If the tourist will be in the country for 14 days or more, the second PCR test must be performed between day 11 and day 14.

If the first PCR test is negative, the tourist can visit approved important sites in a bio-security bubble.

The Health Ministry guidelines state that tourists must not change hotels during the 14-day quarantine and can be released from quarantine after 14 days if the second PCR test is negative.

Inbound tour operators wary of new rules