- Also see: Southeast Asia Travel COVID-19 Overview
- Also see: South America Travel COVID-19 Overview
LATEST SRI LANKA COVID-19 NEWS:
- 17th June 2022 – Covid 19 Travel Insurance is no longer mandatory. Source.
- 7th April 2022 – Americans have been urged to reconsider travelling to Sri Lanka currently because of the economic crisis and resulting political unrest. Source.
- 1st March 2022 – Sri Lanka has scrapped testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers. Source.
Disclaimer: COVID-19 travel restrictions are changing every day and the following information reflects South East Asia’s Backpacker’s understanding of the current rules for entry. While we update this article regularly to ensure the information is as current as it can be, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.
Sri Lanka Travel Restrictions
Can you travel to Sri Lanka right now?
Yes. Sri Lanka is open to international travellers.
Vaccinated Travellers:
- Vaccinated travellers can visit Sri Lanka without testing requirements.
* A traveller is considered fully vaccinated when they have had two shots of a vaccine that is approved in their country of origin. 14 days must have passed since the traveller has had the 2nd dose of the vaccine before being considered fully vaccinated. If you have had one shot of an approved vaccine and you have also recovered from COVID-19, you will be considered ‘fully vaccinated’. You will need to show a vaccination certificate and/or a doctor’s note explaining your status.
Please see here for Sri Lanka’s list of recognised vaccines.
Unvaccinated Travellers:
- Unvaccinated travellers can enter Sri Lanka, however, they will be required to do a test pre-arrival.
Entry Requirements
Before you enter Sri Lanka, you will need:
Required Entry Documents
- You are recommended to apply for a tourist visa online at eta.gov.lk.
- Visa on arrival service resumed on 11th Feb 2022.
- Proof of vaccination status in English (not a digital copy), you must carry with you.
- Pre-arrival negative test result (if unvaccinated).
- You must upload evidence of your vaccination status prior to departure and complete the Health Declaration form.
Insurance
- On June 17th 2022, the Government of Sri Lanka announced that COVID-19 travel insurance is no longer mandatory for travellers. Although it is no longer a legal requirement for entering the country, we highly recommend purchasing Covid Insurance to avoid the potential of high medical bills.
SafetyWing is the travel insurance of choice for scores of backpackers!
- Subscription style insurance
- Offers COVID-19 cover
- Available after your trip has started
COVID-19 Tests Required
There are no testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers.
Unvaccinated travellers will need to provide proof of a negative test result prior to arrival. A PCR test (taken no earlier than 72 hours before departure to Sri Lanka) or a negative RTK taken within 48 hours (not a self-administered swab) will suffice.
If you are required to take COVID tests in Sri Lanka, the cost is $40USD per test. These can be paid for using this link.
Upon Arrival
Quarantine Period
- Travellers do not have to quarantine.
Local COVID-19 Rules and Regulations
The rules and regulations below are only meant to serve as a guide and the situation is prone to change rapidly without warning. For more information on local rules and restrictions visit Hello Again – Sri Lanka Travel Portal.
- FACE COVERINGS – Face masks should be worn in all public settings. Also see: Best face masks for travel.
- SOCIAL DISTANCING – Social distancing (1m) may be in place across the country.
- CURFEWS – There are currently no curfews in place in Sri Lanka.
- PUBLIC TRANSPORT – Running as normal. Face masks should be worn.
- VENUES AND GATHERINGS – Hotels and guesthouses are still operating in Sri Lanka whilst abiding by the government’s recommended health guidelines.
- MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE – Throughout the pandemic there have been restrictions on inter-provincial travel, however, these have now ended.
Resources
- Hello Again – Sri Lanka Travel Portal
- Gov.uk Sri Lanka Travel advice
- US Gov Travel Advisory for Sri Lanka
Nikki Scott | Founder & Editor
Nikki is the founding editor of South East Asia Backpacker and The Backpacker Network. In her early twenties, she left her home in the North of England on a solo backpacking adventure and never returned! After six months on the road, she founded a print magazine that became legendary on the Banana Pancake Trail. The rest is history.
“All passengers (above the age of 2) will need to show a negative PCR test within 72 hours before embarking on their journey to Sri Lanka.”
Rapid tests are now also allowed, taken max. 48 hours before flight.
Thanks for the update!