Sri Lanka Eases Restrictions for Vaccinated Tourists – A Timely Boost for Tourism

In a move welcomed by the local tourism industry, Sri Lanka further eased arrival restrictions; tourists who had received a full dose of a COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days before arrival were allowed quarantine-free entry. This was initially subject to a negative result of an on-arrival ‘day one’ PCR test, for which they had to spend 24 hours at a ‘Safe and Secure Level 1’ hotel till the result was made available. Following a negative rest result, travellers were free to leave the hotel.

In a further development, it was announced that from 29th September 2021, this on-arrival PCR test would be done away with for fully vaccinated travellers; they were required however to show a negative result of a PCR test taken 72 hours before boarding their flight to Sri Lanka. Resort and hotel properties on the island have been preparing to welcome guests again too; properties like Habarana Village by Cinnamon have stringent health, hygiene and disinfection measures in place and have additionally been certified as ‘Safe & Secure’ by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.