Health Min. revises guidelines for overseas travellers

Friday, 28 January 2022 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena yesterday issued a circular revising the quarantine measures for travellers entering Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the circular, all foreign nationals must have travel insurance for a minimum of $50,000, including cover for hospitalised treatment for COVID-19. The insurance must cover the stay in Sri Lanka as well as the additional 14 days.

All travellers over 12 years must carry a negative PCR report taken within 72 hours of embarkation or a rapid antigen test within 48 hours of embarkation. Self-swab RAT will not be allowed.

Travellers must also carry their vaccination certificate or card with them. The circular states that inbound travellers will be considered fully vaccinated if it has been at least two weeks since they completed the recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccination.

Children over 12 years will be considered fully vaccinated if it has been at least two weeks since they received a single dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

If an individual has taken at least one vaccine dose, after which they contracted COVID-19 or received at least a single dose after infection, they will be considered fully vaccinated but must carry a diagnosis card, verifiable evidence, or the previously positive COVID-19 test report.

Fully-vaccinated travellers with a negative PCR within 72 hours prior to embarkation or a negative RAT within 48 hours prior to embarkation will not be required to undergo Day 1 PCR or quarantine following arrival in Sri Lanka.

They must get tested and produce the report to the area MOH if they develop COVID-19-like symptoms.

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated Sri Lankan citizens, dual citizens and resident visa holders must undergo Day 1 PCR at the BIA laboratory, Government quarantine centre, quarantine hotel, or safe and secure Level 1 hotel.

If this test is negative, they can undergo home quarantine until the Day 7 exit PCR or RAT negative report is available.

Tourists and foreign nationals must undergo quarantine at a safe and secure Level 1 hotel or quarantine hotel until the Day 7 PCR or RAT negative report is available. They are also required to undergo the Day 1 PCR or RAT.

Quarantine facilities will be available to any overseas traveller who is unvaccinated and does not have home-quarantine facilities.

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