Fully Vaccinated arrivals will not require On Arrival PCR, if departure PCR is negative

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Health Ministry announced that with effect from the 1st of October 2021, all fully vaccinated arrivals will no longer require an On Arrival PCR, if their departure PCR is negative.

The Health Ministry said its Technical Committee had decided that foreign nationals who are not Fully Vaccinated will be permitted to travel to their hotel in a bio-bubble, and a PCR will be carried out at the Hotel.

However, Sri Lankans returning back to the country can undergo a PCR at the Airport or the Hotel, and if they test negative they can travel to their homes and must also undergo a second PCR on Day-12 since arrival.

The Health Ministry said, if the Day-12 PCR is negative, Sri Lankans will no have no barrier in integrating with society.

The Director General of Health Services said Sri Lankans with no facilities for Home-Quarantine can proceed to a government Quarantine Facility or Hotel of their choice, to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

A circular to this effect is to be released soon, and it will be in effect from the 01st of October 2021.

At present all passengers must undergo a PCR test 72 hours before boarding and are ONLY allowed to travel to Sri Lanka is the PCR test is negative.

If Fully-Vaccinated passengers are traveling to Sri Lanka two weeks after a negative PCR result, they will have to undergo a PCR on arrival, and if the result is negative they will be permitted to leave.