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Based on the health guidelines issued
by the Ministry of Health
on 6th January 2021
WARM &
WELCOMING
SRI LANKA TOURISM
SAFETY PROTOCOLS ixpdrl wud;HdxYh
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MINISTRY OF TOURISM
STATE MINISTRY OF AVIATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF EXPORT ZONES
HELLO AGAIN!
As we open our doors to the world again; let’s make sure our paradise island is as safe and
secure as it can be against the ongoing pandemic. After a thorough analysis of the situation and
following multiple consultations with all relevant stakeholders and health professionals, a set of
guidelines and protocols have been listed out to assist those in the tourism sector to ensure a
smooth transition to begin operations in the midst of this new normal.
Those in the tourism sector have been requested to adhere to these guidelines, as they are vital
measures that have been taken to assure the protection of our tourists and ourselves. Safety
measures have been implemented across the country so that travellers may enjoy a hassle-free
stay; however it is the responsibility of the tourism establishments to adhere to the COVID safety
protocols, so that the reopening of the island may be a sustainable effort for the tourism sector
as a whole.
1
KEY POINTS TO NOTE
No minimum number of All facilities of the hotel
days is required for a stay. would be made available to
the guests.
No restrictive quarantine Tourists can visit approved
required. tourist sites under the safety
of a bio-bubble.
Tourists must stay at a Pay for PCR Tests (40 USD
certified ‘Safe and Secure’ per PCR test depending on
Level 1 hotel for upto 14 the number of days of the
days of their stay. stay) when applying for visa
online and for insurance
(12 USD) with one month
Currently no exceptions would cover of 50,000 USD.
be made for vaccinations taken;
all safety protocols should be
adhered to regardless.
2
1 INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS
Technical preparation details for the opening of the airports.
Tourists may arrive through Special arrangements for
Charter Flights, Scheduled the crew would be agreed
Flights or Private Jets, at both upon in advance by the
Katunayake and Mattala Civil Aviation and Airport
Airports. Please note that Aviation Authority,
Bandaranaike International according to the current
Airport (BIA) is certified as a health guidelines in place.
safe airport by ACI airport health
accreditation programme. Sri Lanka Tourism
Development Authority
(SLTDA) will inform the
Arrival of tourists would be details of arrivals to the
decided by the testing Ministry of Health via the
capacity of the private following emails and the
laboratories as determined by local area Medical Officer
the Ministry of Health and prior to the arrival of the
Minister of Tourism jointly. respective flights.
Dual Citizens, spouses of DGHS:
foreign nationals and paid
commercial passengers dghs@health.gov.lk
with foreign passports are
allowed, following an ddgphs1@health.gov.lk
adherence to the guidelines
and protocols in place. Chief Epidemiologist:
chepid@sltnet.lk
All flights bringing in tourists
are required to consult the
Civil Aviation Authority on DPRD:
the health protocols that
need to be adhered to. drishankadprd@gmail.com
This guideline document is Please call the Sri Lanka Tourism
not applicable to Business 24-hour hotline on 1912 for any
Visas. additional support
3
2 VISA APPLICATION
Currently, all countries have been permitted for entry; unless specifically mentioned
otherwise. The below information is essential to be factored in before a tourist
commences their visa application.
All visa’s must be applied Purchase the mandatory COVID-19
online through the Immigration Insurance Cover from People's
ETA portal (www.eta.gov.lk). Insurance PLC at USD 12 for a policy
Prior to applying for the visa, of USD 50,000 for a period of one
travelers are required to month.
pre- purchase PCR tests
and mandatory COVID-19 Confirmation of a booking at a
Insurance Cover by using certified ‘Safe & Secure’ hotel, for a
tourism channels and upon period of up to 14 days should be
payment, travelers will be shown when applying for visa; there
issued a unique tourism would be no mandatory minimum stay
reference number which needs requirement.
to be used in the ETA portal
Upon issuing a visa, the details of the
when processing the visa.
international traveller would be sent
to the area Medical Officer of Health;
Pre-purchase PCR tests and be updated accordingly until their
depending on the number of days arrival at the respective hotel.
of stay as deemed by the Ministry
of Health. The cost per PCR test Tourism Mobile App ‘Visit Sri Lanka’
will be USD 40. (eg: pay for will be incorporated into the online visa
2 PCR tests for 7 days stay and application form in the due course and
3 PCR tests if the travel exceeds will be available on both the Play Store
7 days). and Appstore. Travellers will be
required to download the mobile app
for coordination and facilitation
purposes when available.
4
5
3 PRE-FLIGHT PREPARATION
The below checklist is of utmost priority to every passenger before they board their
flight; all relevant parties should ensure the requirements have clearly been
communicated and met before departure.
Travellers should undergo a The COVID-19 Insurance
PCR test from an Cover purchased during
accredited laboratory and visa process for a value of
obtain a negative result, at least $50,000 for 1
approximately 96 hours month.
before their flight.
A Health Declaration
Form (HDF) should also be
submitted prior to boarding,
on-board the flight or upon
arrival.
6
4 HOTEL ACCOMMODATION : PERTAINING TO GUEST
Showing proof of hotel bookings is a vital requirement in the visa application
process; below are factors to be considered when a traveller is choosing their
accommodation. Travellers must book their stay at a Level 1 ‘Safe & Secure’ hotel;
for their protection. ‘Safe & Secure’ is a certificate issued to hotels in compliance
with the COVID-19 Health Protocols and the Tourism Operational Guidelines.
All bookings to be made with a All certified ‘Safe & Secure’ Level
Level 1 certified ‘Safe & Secure’ 1 hotels would have a unique QR
hotel for the initial period of up to code displayed so that the tourist
14 days. may provide feedback on the
health protocols observed.
Tourists are allowed to stay any
number of days with no Hotels will ensure effective
minimum requirement, provided access control measures are in
they continue their stay at a place, in and around the hotel.
certified ‘Safe & Secure’
(pre-booked) hotel for up to 14
days.
Use of common areas such as
the spa and pool could be
During the initial 14-day period, permitted, subject to strict
the guest can choose to continue adherence to the general health
staying at the current hotel or any guidelines, including social
other Level 1 certified ‘Safe & distancing.
Secure’ hotel (travelling under a
bio-security bubble); providing
their on-arrival PCR tested Hotel guests should not be
negative. allowed to entertain locals; nor
have functions that encourage
the same; especially during the
Tourists are not permitted to 14- day period at a Level 1
move outside the hotel for a certified ‘Safe & Secure’ hotel.
period of up to 14 days; except
for approved tourist sites by the
COVID Taskforce; in consultation After the initial 14-day stay at a
with the Ministry of Health under certified ‘Safe & Secure’ Level 1
a bio-security bubble (provided hotel, the tourist is then permitted
the on-arrival PCR test is a to leave their accommodation
negative result). and interact with the community;
provided the PCR test results are
negative; including moving to any
Sri Lanka Tourism Development accommodation of their choice.
Authority (SLTDA) will ensure
that continuous assessments
and audits are carried out to
uphold the standards of Certified
‘Safe & Secure’ (Level 1) Hotels.
7
5 HOTEL ACCOMMODATION : PERTAINING TO HOTEL
Hotels, Travel Agents and Hotels to function at a
Tour Operators are to share maximum room
accommodation booking, occupation capacity of
transportation and site visit 75%; the rest to be left on
details with the Area stand-by should a need
Medical Officer of Health arise for the isolation of
and DG Sri Lanka Tourism non-symptomatic
Development Authority, COVID-19 positive guests
immediately as bookings and their direct contacts.
are made and prior to any
travel.
Bookings from multiple
flights are permitted. Hotels
Only hotels certified as
should take all possible
‘Safe & Secure’ Level 1 are
measures to minimize
permitted to take bookings
mixing of groups arriving
for the initial 14 days of an
from different flights.
international traveller.
Tourists are not permitted Hotels should have a room
to leave the hotel for the allocation plan in place to
initial 14-days of their stay, cater accordingly.
except to the approved
tourist sites under a Reservation details should
bio-security bubble. be informed to the area’s
Medical Officer of Health
Guests may change their
and DG Sri Lanka Tourism
hotel at any point during the
Development Authority,
initial 14 days, provided it is
following each booking and
a Level 1 certified ‘Safe &
prior to the guest’s arrival.
Secure’ hotel; travelling
under a bio-security bubble.
Effective access controls
A pre-confirmed hotel must be in place; with the
booking; at one or more support of the relevant
Level 1 certified ‘Safe & Authorities; in and around
Secure’ hotels; is the hotel, to ensure there is
mandatory for the first 14 no interaction with the local
days of the guest’s stay. community for the initial
period of 14 days.
Public transportation
should not be encouraged
to guests, even after the
initial 14 day period is over.
8
The Health Guidelines The hotel doctor should
currently in place should be report daily to the Ministry
adhered to at all times. of Health, COVID
Taskforce and DG Sri
Lanka Tourism
Development Authority in
Frequent surveillance of
regards to the health of the
symptoms must be
hotel staff and guests
maintained; the Hotel must
make arrangements for a DGHS:
designated Medical Officer
to monitor the health of dghs@health.gov.lk
guests and staff.
ddgphs1@health.gov.lk
Contact details of the
designated Medical Officer Chief Epidemiologist:
should be promptly
informed to the area chepid@sltnet.lk
Medical Officer of Health
and to the Ministry of DPRD:
Health.
drishankadprd@gmail.com
96 PCR TESTING
The Ministry of Health requires a specified number of PCR tests to be carried out
by the tourist, from the time of their departure and throughout their stay here. Hotels
should strictly adhere to and ensure that these tests occur before the guest is
allowed to leave the premises.
Travellers should undergo a All PCR Reports to be
PCR test from an e-mailed by the Private
accredited laboratory and Sector Hospital to the
obtain a negative result, Epidemiology Unit
approximately 96 hours
before their flight. chepid@sltnnet.lk
All PCR tests for each COVID Taskforce:
guest should be arranged
by the hotel with a private covid19sl20@gmail.com
sector laboratory
approved by the MOH; DG Ministry of Health:
ideally, all PCR test of a
given traveller should be dghs@health.gov.lk
carried out by a single
laboratory. DG Sri Lanka Tourism
Development Authority:
The on-arrival PCR test;
pre-purchased by the guest dg@srilanka.travel
upon application of their
visa; should be carried out
and to the respective hotels,
prior to check-in; and
highlighting the positive test reports.
arranged for by the hotel
with a private sector
laboratory approved by the The Hotel would be
Ministry of Health. required to upload the PCR
Movements of the guests test report to the Tourism
should be restricted to the Mobile App when
minimum until the on arrival implemented; with a copy of
PCR test result is negative. the report to be given to the
guest for their own records.
The second PCR test
should be conducted 5-7 The Passport No. would be
days after the guest’s considered as the
arrival at the hotel; should reference number for the
the stay exceed 7 days, an tourist’s identification to
additional (third) PCR test ensure traceability of
would be carried out reports and payments.
between the 10th and 14th
day of arrival.
107 TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS:
PERTAINING TO THE GUEST
Travel Agents and Hotels to The Hotel or Travel Agent is
adhere to the prevailing required to have a thorough
Health Guidelines of the transport plan in advance.
Ministry of Health and
Sri Lanka Tourism
Domestic Flights are
Development Authority.
permitted; subject to a strict
adhering of health protocols
The Hotel / Agent should
arrange independent
transport for each group of Transportation details
tourists. should be informed to the
area Medical Officer of
Refrain from allowing any Health, COVID Taskforce
interaction or mixing of and DG Sri Lanka Tourism
different groups during Development Authority,
travel. following each booking and
prior to the guest’s arrival.
118 TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS:
PERTAINING TO THE DRIVER
Maintain a thorough Unless the personnel were
transport log with in full PPE attire, all service
passenger details. providers involved in
transportation should be
quarantined for a period of
Inform the National 14 days; with a PCR
Operations Center for conducted; having informed
Control of COVID-19 of all the COVID Task force and
details prior to arrival, for DG Sri Lanka Tourism
the purpose of contact Development Authority of
tracing; including the area the necessary details,
MOH and DG Sri Lanka including location of the
Tourism Development quarantine facility.
Authority.
1213
9 TOUR GUIDES, DRIVERS & OTHER PERSONNEL
Hotels / Travel Agents to Accommodation to be
ensure that adequate provided during the tour in
Personal Protective adherence to Health &
Equipment (PPE), masks Safety Guidelines.
and sanitizer to be
provided to all personnel Hotels, Travel Agents and
accompanying the tourists. Tour Operators are bound
to adhere to the health
A quarantine facility for guidelines currently
14 days to be arranged by enforced by the Ministry of
the travel agent after the Health and SLTDA.
tour, unless the personnel
were in full PPE. Medical Insurance
including the COVID-19
Insurance is to be given to
all personnel during the tour
and the subsequent 14
days in quarantine.
1410 MANAGING COVID-19 PCR POSITIVE GUESTS
Hotels should ideally be fully prepped to deal with any outcome of the situation;
even if every precaution and safety measure is in place. Should a guest or guests
test positive on their PCR, ensure protocols are followed to contain the situation in
the best possible manner.
Non-symptomatic
Initial isolation should be In a situation where
carried out at a cordoned isolation would not be
off section in the same feasible (e.g., a large group
hotel; under strict that’s tested positive), an
supervision of the alternative designated
designated Medical Officer isolation hotel would be
of the hotel and the area identified in advance by the
MOH, until the patient has DG of SLTDA.
been transferred to a
designated intermediate
The staff of the hotel and
care center.
other contacts should be
managed accordingly,
The SLTDA would ensure adhering to the guidelines
that appropriate already in force, under the
intermediate care centers guidance of the area
for asymptomatic Medical Officer of Health.
COVID-19 patients have
been identified, with the
consultation and approval
of the Ministry of Health.
1511 MANAGING COVID-19 PCR POSITIVE GUESTS
Symptomatic
If symptomatic, the guest COVID-19 Insurance cover
and those exposed should to reimburse hospitals
be admitted to a charges; including the
pre-arranged ambulance transfer; to the
MOH-approved private value of $50,000 for the
hospital, on the verdict of period of a month.
the area or hotel’s
designated Medical Officer.
The area Medical Officer of
Health should be duly
informed and updated.
12 TREATMENT OF OTHER CONDITIONS
(During the first 14 days)
Emergency measures have also been factored in, should a guest need to be
treated for another medical condition apart from COVID-19. Please ensure that the
guidelines and protocols in place are not disrupted, in the process of obtaining the
medical attention.
The hotel’s designated The area Medical Officer
Medical Officer would should be duly informed
have the authority to make and updated, following the
a decision after assessing decision taken by the
the situation. hotel’s designated Medical
Officer.
Patients still in their initial
14-day period should only Cost of the treatment/s
be treated in hospitals should be covered via the
specifically identified by the patient’s own personal
SLTDA and approved by medical insurance.
the MOH.
1613 MANAGEMENT OF STAFF
Understanding that the staff being in close proximity to guests who may or may not
be COVID positive, is a potential risk to not just them but also their communities;
hence strict measures should be taken to ensure their safety and protection.
All members of the staff All staff should be subjected
with direct contact to to a proper risk
guests, should not be assessment under the
allowed to leave the hotel guidance of the area
premises for the period of Medical Officer of Health;
the guest’s accommodation and appropriate
(14 days), and an additional interventions should be
14 days after the guest’s instituted if a guest is to test
stay has ended. positive for COVID-19.
The quarantine process In the event a COVID-19
should be arranged under positive guest or employee
the hotel Medical Officer’s is reported to the hotel; the
supervision, together with Travel Agents and Tour
the local health authorities. Operators are also required
Details to be provided to the to be in adherence to the
Ministry of Health, COVID Health Guidelines
Taskforce and DG, currently enforced by the
Sri Lanka Tourism Ministry of Health and Sri
Development Authority. Lanka Tourism
Development Authority.
Staff should be screened
for COVID-19 at regular
intervals as per the existing
Occupational Health
Guidelines published by the
Ministry of Health.
1714 VISITING TOURIST SITES
Following the negative, on-arrival PCR, guests are permitted to visit approved
tourist sites under a bio-safety bubble.
Arrangements have been Any special arrangements
made to visit permitted including stops for meals,
sites on a daily basis; in a lavatory breaks or any other
bio-safety bubble; with stops, must be indicated in
specific timeslots allocated the itinerary and should be
for tourists. done in consultation with
the local health authorities
Permission for the tourist of the specific areas in
sites has been granted by which the stops are
the Sri Lanka Tourism planned.
Development Authority in
consultation with the All personnel
Ministry of Health, COVID accompanying the tourists;
Taskforce and the relevant including tour guides, safari
local health authorities. jeep drivers, bus drivers,
other drivers, assistants
Itinerary should be and translators; unless
shared in advance with the attending in full PPE,
local health authority of the should undergo a 14-day
tourist site and the agencies quarantine under the
managing the site, through supervision of the local
the SLTDA. health authority, with the
inclusion of PCR testing.
The timeslots allocated
for tourists would be
published clearly on the Sri
Lanka Tourism website, to
minimise the risk of
interaction with the locals.
18DIAL 1912
DIAL 1912 from any phone within Sri Lanka
to access tourism information
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority
+94 112 426 900
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+94 112 437 953
MINISTRY OF TOURISM info@srilanka.travel
STATE MINISTRY OF AVIATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF EXPORT ZONES
No.80, Galle Road, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka
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