Fully vaccinated Sri Lankan citizens returning from overseas will not be required to stay at a hotel for PCR testing, if their test result proved to be negative during the on-arrival testing at the BIA or Mattala airports from next week, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

 

“Sri Lankans who are returning who have been fully vaccinated with an accepted World Health Organization (WHO) vaccine, won’t be required to stay in hotels to get their PCR tests from next week as the Ministry of Health will conduct the PCR test soon after they land at the airport and the travelers would be released if the results prove negative,” the Minister told the Daily Mirror today.

 

He said after the discussion, the Aviation Ministry agreed to provide logistical support at the airport and the Health Ministry officials will do the PCR testing on the inbound travelers accordingly.

 

“Within 4 to 6 hours after their arrival, the entire process would be finished after that the travelers will be free to exit if the results are negative,” he said.

 

“The cost of these have been borne by travelers and the time consumed in awaiting the test result at a hotel will be scrapped with this measure,” the minister added. (Sunil Jayasiri)