Sunday 29 / September / 2024
Muscat: People from Oman looking to spend a holiday in Sri Lanka can now do so, after the island country began once again welcoming tourists. Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, Sri Lanka had stopped all leisure travel to the country for a period of 10 months, and measures have been put into effect to test visitors for the disease.
Up to 2,500 tourists will be allowed into Sri Lanka each day. While applying for a tourist visa online, travellers now have to pay $40 (OMR15.5) per PCR test for up to three swab tests, depending on the length of stay, and $12 (OMR5) for mandatory COVID-19 insurance of up to US$50,000, valid for one month. “Another requirement is an advance booking at one or more of 52 properties certified as Level 1 hotels under the Sri Lankan government’s Safe and Secure scheme,” said Ameer Ajwad, the ambassador of Sri Lanka to Oman.
“These lodgings will be used exclusively by foreign travellers during the first 14 days of their visit. All Level 1 hotels are located outside Colombo, and include properties run by leading hospitality brands.”
Incoming travellers must then prove that they are clear of the virus in a pre-departure PCR test taken up to 96 hours before their flight, and submit a health declaration form before boarding or upon arrival in Sri Lanka.
From the airport, each group of visitors will be whisked directly to their hotels for an on-arrival PCR test prior to checking in. A second PCR test will be conducted on tourists between the fifth and seventh day. Those staying longer than a week are required to undergo a third test between the 10th and 14th day of their stay.
Foreign tourists are urged to refrain from mixing with other groups and cannot leave their hotels except to visit any of 14 approved tourist sites in allocated time slots.
Top draws like Yala National Park, Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth, the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya, and whale-watching spots at Mirissa are all on the list. After the 14-day period is up, travellers will be able to interact with the local community and move to any accommodation of their choice, although use of public transportation is still discouraged. More information is available at www.srilanka.travel/helloagain
“The decision to allow foreign tourists to Sri Lanka has already been made, and has been active since the 20th of this month,” said Ameer Ajwad, the ambassador of Sri Lanka to Oman.
“Oman Air was actually the first flight to bring tourists into the country after this announcement was made public. WY 371 landed in Sri Lanka the day after this decision came into effect. Currently, passengers from Oman can only fly here on Oman Air, however. We do have some plans under discussion with SalamAir. Sri Lankan Airlines, is currently only being used for repatriation flights for our citizens from all around the world, but we hope to soon restart regular flights to Oman with our national airline as well.”
Tourists from the UK are currently not allowed to travel to Sri Lanka, as a precaution against the new strain of the virus.
