Sri Lanka to drop pre-departure tests for vaccinated arrivals
James ChappleFully vaccinated travellers to Sri Lanka will from Tuesday (1 March) no longer have to provide evidence of a negative pre-departure test for Covid-19.
Captain Themiya Abeywickrama, director general of Sri Lanka’s civil aviation authority, confirmed the latest easing of the country’s Covid-19 travel requirements on Monday (28 February).
To qualify as fully vaccinated, travellers must have received a full, recommended course of a recognised Covid-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to arrival.
Children aged 12-18 who have had a single dose of a recognised Covid-19 vaccine, administered at least 14 days prior to arrival, will qualify as fully vaccinated in the same way adults do meaning they will not have to take a pre-departure test.
Children younger than 12 will no longer be required to test negative for Covid-19 prior to departure, irrespective of their vaccination status.
Those with proof of having recovered from Covid-19 between seven days and six months prior to arrival, and have had at least one dose of a recognised Covid-19 vaccine, will also be exempted from any pre-departure testing requirement.
"The traveller must have verifiable documents to prove past history of Covid-19 infection, i.e. a diagnosis card or positive PCR or antigen test report," Abeywickrama added.
All other travellers aged 12 and above who are not fully vaccinated will be required to present evidence of a negative PCR test for Covid-19 taken up to 72 hours prior to departure, or a negative antigen test taken up to 48 hours prior to departure.
James Chapple
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