• Pre-departure negative PCR tests and COVID-19 vaccination cards mandatory
• Travel insurance cover for at least USD 50,000 including hospitalisation for COVID-19 
• Foreign national passport holders who do not have a valid visa must  obtain a landing permit/visa from the Department of Immigration &  Emigration prior to their departure from overseas​

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

The Health Ministry yesterday issued a set of new health guidelines applicable for tourists travelling to Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic.  
As per the guidelines, pre-departure negative PCR tests and COVID-19 vaccination cards have been mandatory to enter the country.  Accordingly, travellers who have received the recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine should carry the original vaccination certificate / card.  

For inbound travellers, if the recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccination are completed and departs from abroad two weeks after completion of vaccination, they will be considered as “Fully Vaccinated Travellers”.   Meanwhile, foreign national passport holders who do not have a valid visa must obtain a landing permit/visa from the Department of Immigration & Emigration prior to their departure from overseas.  
Besides, all Foreign National passport holders must have a travel insurance for at least USD 50,000 including cover for hospitalised treatment for COVID-19 infection.  
The guidelines added that the period of stay in Sri Lanka and additional 14 days should be covered by the insurance.  
Furthermore, fully vaccinated travellers who have completed 14 days after recommended doses of vaccination and arriving with a negative PCR Report done within 72 hours of embarkation or negative COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test report done within 48 hours prior to embarkation will be released from the airport and do not need to do Day 1 PCR test or undergo quarantine after arriving in Sri Lanka.