• Fully vaccinated travellers exempted from pre-departure PCR tests
• if the “recommended doses” of the COVID-19 vaccination are completed and departure from their respective country is within two weeks after completion of vaccination, they will be considered as “Fully Vaccinated”

By Sheain Fernandopulle 

The Government in consultation with the Health Ministry has decided to further ease COVID-19 restrictions imposed on travellers arriving in Sri Lanka from foreign countries.

Accordingly, fully vaccinated travellers will not be required to undergo a PCR or RAT test prior to arriving in Sri Lanka with effect from tomorrow (March 01).

The Health Ministry said as different countries have different phases of vaccination, for the inbound travellers, if the "recommended doses" of the COVID-19 vaccination are completed and departure from their respective country is within two weeks after completion of vaccination, they will be considered as "Fully Vaccinated".

Children of eighteen years and below, who have obtained at least a single dose of a recognized vaccine, will be considered as "Fully Vaccinated" if departed from abroad is two weeks after completion of vaccination.
Besides, travellers with a past history of COVID-19 infection where the infection was detected between 7 days to 6 months before the date of departure with at least a single 'dose of a two-dose vaccine will be exempted from the Pre-departure COVID-19 test.
However, such travellers should carry a diagnosis card or verifiable evidence or a previously positive COVID-19 test report (PCR report or Rapid Antigen Test report) as proof of past history of illness (in English). They should depart two weeks after vaccination and also seven days after the infection.

In addition, travellers with a history of COVID-19 infection more than 6 months before the date of departure with a single dose of a two-dose vaccine should carry a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test report. They should depart two weeks after vaccination.

Meanwhile, all other travellers of twelve years and above arriving in Sri Lanka who are NOT Fully Vaccinated should mandatorily carry a negative COVID-19 PCR test report in the English language done within 72 hours prior to embarkation OR Rapid Antigen Test report (self-swabs are disallowed) in the English language done within 48 hours prior to embarkation.

• Travellers with a past history of COVID-19 infection where the infection was detected between 7 days to 6 months before the date of departure with at least a single ‘dose of a two-dose vaccine will be exempted from the Pre-departure COVID-19 test