Sri Lanka Lifted All Covid-Related Entry Restrictions

In an announcement from the Foreign Office yesterday, it was revealed that Sri Lanka has removed all Covid-related entry restrictions. This means that all Covid-related entry rules remaining across 2022 will no longer be in effect for travellers as we enter 2023. 

Discussed by Sri Lanka as the Covid travel regime, the set of Covid-related entry rules held in place by the country from the middle of April 2022 have now officially been removed. This fantastic news was announced by the Sri Lanka Ministry of Health on the 7th of December and was later revealed by the FCDO on the Foreign Travel Advice page on Monday the 12th of December.  

These new rules mean that arrivals in Sri Lanka following the 7th of December will no longer be required to give proof of their Covid status, either through proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test taken pre-departure. Travellers will not need to be vaccinated in order to enter the country and this is applicable to all travellers to Sri Lanka that arrive by air or sea.  

According to the updates, all foreign nationals and travellers to Sri Lanka who test positive for Covid following their arrival will be required to self-isolate for a 7-day period. The Ministry of Health in the country clarified that all costs will be in the hands of the travellers, they said, “If foreign nationals/tourists become Covid-19 positive after arriving to Sri Lanka, they should isolate for seven days in a private hospital/hotel/place of residence. The cost of treatment/isolation should be borne by foreign nationals/tourists.” 

The FCDO also released its advice not long after these new rules went into effect. The advice reads, “In December 2022, the government of Sri Lanka announced travellers are no longer required to produce Covid-19 vaccination certificates on arrival in Sri Lanka. Pre-departure Covid-19 tests are also no longer required before arrival.” 

The Foreign Office also advised travellers to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka, clarifying that on-arrival visa facilities are provided but applying pre-travel is still advised “for ease of travel and to prevent delays on arrival”. 

The FCDO also advised travellers to still apply for travel insurance despite no longer being mandatory, “On 17 June, the Government of Sri Lanka announced that Covid-19 travel insurance is no longer mandatory for all visitors. However, it is important to ensure you take out comprehensive travel insurance before you travel abroad.” If you would like to find out more about the benefits of good travel insurance, please check out our page. 

So, if you’re looking forward to your next holiday, don’t wait, book now with a travel business registered with PTS for 100% financial protection through trust. Or, if you’d like assistance choosing one of the lovely PTS members to book with, you can contact PTS directly at 0207 190 9988. 

And if you’d like to learn more about your financial protection with PTS or how the Package Travel Regulations protect your holiday booking, check out our pages and Travel Advice.