Sri Lanka set to reopen for foreign tourists from August with new guidelines

Sri Lanka is set to welcome back foreign tourists from August under strict measures to boost the tourism sector that has been crippled by the coronavirus pandemic, authorities said on Saturday. Sri Lanka announced lockdown in mid-March to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The severest impact was recorded in the tourism sector, with a drop of tourist arrivals by over 70 per cent year-on-year in March.

According to new guidelines, all travellers will be issued a visa valid for 30 days and extendable up to six months.

"Further relaxation of long stay guests is currently under consideration, enabling tourist to be granted five-year multiple-entry visas with a maximum six-month stay," Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority



said.

On COVID-19 measures, the authority said there won't be mandatory quarantine upon arrival unless symptoms are detected.

All travellers would be subject to PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests at the airport. The PCR tests reports are to be released in 4-6 hours.

A further test will be done 4-5 days after arrival by a mobile unit in coordination with a certified accommodation provider.

Travellers staying for more than 10 days will be required to take a third test during their stay.

In case of a positive PCR result, travellers will be quarantined in a designated hotel or hospital depending on the details of the case. Quarantine would usually be for 14 to 21 days if symptoms are detected.