UK relaxes travel advice for Sri Lanka
As Govt. waives airport PCR for fully vaccinated arrivals
COLOMBO – The UK Foreign Office on Tuesday (28) lifted its advisory warnings against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka, saying it no longer advises against all but essential travel “based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks”. The all but essential travel warning was also eased for Egypt, the Maldives, and Pakistan.
Sri Lanka, together with Egypt, the Maldives and Pakistan, was among the eight countries that were removed from the UK government’s red list from 4:00 a.m. on September 22. However, of the eight, the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) only relaxed its travel advice for three destinations: Turkey, Kenya and Oman.
It meant that anyone travelling to Sri Lanka, Egypt, the Maldives or Pakistan needed to have a special COVID-19 insurance policy in place, leading to tour operators being compelled to cancel and rebook existing imminent departures.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan health authorities on Tuesday announced fully vaccinated passengers arriving in Sri Lanka with a negative PCR report, obtained 72 hours prior to departure, will not be required to undergo another PCR test at the airport. Health Minister Keheliya Rambuwella said the new no PCR rule would go into effect at midnight Wednesday (29).
-ENCL