The South Asian country of Sri Lanka has officially reopened for international tourism as of Jan. 21.
“The livelihood of around 3 million people depend on tourism in Sri Lanka,” said Sri Lankan Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga at a press conference. “It is our national responsibility to take into consideration the needs of our citizens that depend on this industry.”
Visitors may arrive at either Bandaranaike International Airport or Mattala International Airport, and must adhere to certain entry requirements and strict travel restrictions.
All tourists must apply for a visa online and will be required to provide proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within the 72 hours prior to their arrival. They will also need to be tested again upon arrival. Travelers staying at least seven days will need to take another test on day seven.
International visitors to Sri Lanka are limited to staying in one of 55 designated hotels, which must be booked in advance. Tourists must stay in their hotel for the first two weeks, unless leaving to visit one of 14 mostly outdoor approved tourism sites.
During their stay, however, guests will not be restricted to their rooms; they will be able to make use of the hotels’ facilities, including restaurants, spas, gyms, and pools.
Visitors will be required to purchase medical insurance for $12 as well as provide proof of a round trip plane ticket and sufficient funds to cover their expenses for the duration of their stay in the country. They must also download the Visit Sri Lanka app, which will be used for contact tracing and storing hotel reservations and test results.