30 October 2020 update
Quarantine curfew extended to Western Province.
The main cluster creates a sub cluster
Quarantine curfew is enforced in the entire Western Province from Thursday midnight, October 29th until 5 am Monday November 02nd . Friday being full moon poya day, Sri Lanka entered to a long week end. In addition, curfew is enforced in 5 police divisions in Kalutara district, down south of Sri Lanka will continue until further notice.
The main Brandix cluster has ignited another cluster which links to a main wholesale fish market. Due to the speed of the spread and the number of people who are exposed, it will be recognized as a separate cluster. Authorities are currently taking measures to combat these two COVID 19 clusters.
23 October 2020 update
A large COVID 19 cluster has sparked out in Sri Lanka.
Curfew in some parts of the island.
With the first patient reporting on the 4th of October, Sri Lanka has started its largest COVID 19 cluster.
Sri Lanka launched Restart Sri Lanka programme since 2nd week of May after lifting 3 months long lockdown. Since 30th April no communal spread was reported. However there was a cluster started in a rehabilitation centre on the 09th July which was also curtailed immediately.
The island was fully open for public activities including tourist sites, hotels, national parks and restaurants with safety measures in place.
The new cluster has been identified at a factory of one of Sri Lanka’s leading apparel manufacturers named Brandix. Brandix have brought down some workers from their Indian factory on a special charter flight and the investigations are now being carried out to see possible misconduct in going through proper quarantine procedures.
The health authorities confirms that this is only a large cluster directly originating from Brandix factory and that Sri Lanka hasn’t gone to a level of communal spread.
Curfew has been enforced in Gampaha district and in 3 police divisions in Colombo district until further notice. Rest of the country is open for general activities.
The airports were carrying out repatriation flights which are now being halted. However special diplomatic missions are in operation.
Sri Lanka Tourism was in discussions to open the island by mid-February for tourists from selected countries which might now depend on the 2nd wave which is spreading around the world and also on the status back at home.
We will be updating you with latest updates, developments, new procedures and new visa requirements for tourists as an when they are officially announced.
COVID 19
This is our last update of the series of updates with regards to COVID 19 in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is blessed to handle the pandemic with least damage and are ready to start our new normal. We sincerely believe we will not have to update such a crisis in our life time.
The entire island is now back to normal and it’s open for day-to-day work and general life. The week end curfew has been taken off and the night time curfew has also been minimized to midnight till 04.00 am. District crossing, specially the outward from Colombo and Gampaha districts is not encouraged but cautiously possible.
Please refer our new updates on “Restart Sri Lanka” for the updates on how we will get back to our new normal and start serving your valued guests.
link – http://ttcsrilanka.com/blog/restart-sri-lanka/
31 May 2020
Sri Lanka will be open for tourists from 1st August.
Weekend curfew reduces only to Sunday.
Island wide night time curfew reduces from 10 PM till 04 AM.
Special curfew in Nuwara Eliya in lieu of a VIP funeral.
Island wide curfew in lieu of Poson celebrations.
The program “Restart Sri Lanka” which was launched on 11th May to resume public life, continues successfully and moving to the 4rd week. Public was requested to start going to work places with precautionary practices.
Last week Sri Lanka recorded all time high COVID 19 positive cases and the main reason was the Sri Lankans living overseas returning home were infected. The health authorities are very much confident with the trend as all the positive cases were found from quarantine centres. There was no case recorded from the society from 30th April. So the last week numbers haven’t impacted the society at all. The death toll has become 10.
From 26th May, the curfew in the last two districts(out of 25) Colombo and Gampaha was lifted which opened up the entire country in all 25 districts.
The week-end curfew which was imposed on Saturday and Sunday was now reduced to Sunday island wide.
Night time curfew continues from 10 PM till 4 AM island wide purely to minimize household gatherings and events.
A special curfew was enforced only in Nuwara Eliya District on Saturday the 30th May in order to minimize public gathering in lieu of a funeral of a Minister.
Island wide curfew will be enforced on Thursday the 4th and Friday the 5th in lieu of a Buddhist festival, Poson which marks the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. The world’s first recorded IQ test was also took place on this day.
Sri Lanka Tourism Bureau and the Government has announced their plans to reopen the country for tourists from 1st August. A detail set of health and safety protocols are currently in make which need to be adhered by all tourism connected parties.
TTC Sri Lanka has customized our health and safety protocols and will be available to our partners.
Please refer our update on 09th May for special visa requirements and other health and safety measures which are currently in discussion.
23 May 2020
Sri Lanka’s resumption of public life continues successfully for the 3rd week !
Island wide precautionary curfew for 2 days in lieu of Ramadan festival. Curfew in 2 districts continues with week-end and night time curfew in other districts.
The program “Restart Sri Lanka” which was launched on 11th May to resume public life, continues successfully and moving to the 3rd week. Public was requested to start going to work places with precautionary practices.
Sri Lanka has faced the global pandemic successfully so far with 09 unfortunate deaths. In comparison to its 21.6 million population & 65,610 km² land size, Sri Lanka has ranked one of the regional and world’s best countries to face the crisis so far. The Health authorities, armed forces and police have been working tirelessly to achieve this. People have also fallen back to Sri Lankan traditional medicines and herbal drinks which have proven immunization factors.
The curfew currently in force have now reduced to two districts (from earlier 4) – Colombo and Gampaha. This is mainly to avoid people gatherings and also to monitor activities and movements. However people in these districts too will be able to go to work under different precautionary practices and house hold groceries & shopping can be done on a weekly basis under a special scheme. All shops & medical centers are open. The restaurants are also open for takeaways and deliveries.
Curfew will be effective island-wide on Sunday (May 24th) and Monday (May 25th) as a measure to avoid unwanted gatherings in lieu of Ramadan festival. The religious activities and celebrations will take place on a private basis.
In the rest of the districts, except Colombo and Gamhapa, curfew which will come into force from 8.00pm tomorrow, Saturday the 23rd May, will be relaxed at 4.00am on Tuesday, the 26th May. Thereafter curfew in these districts will be effective from 10.00pm to 4.00am daily, until further notice.
Movements between districts other than Colombo and Gampaha are open while movements to the mentioned two districts will be with prior permission and for essential services.
City hotels are in operation with precautionary practices. The resort hotels are currently working towards opening in July with intensive health and safety protocols.
The authorities are considering to restart Schools, universities, private classes, other education institutes and cinemas towards end July or early August.
SriLankan airlines have stated that they are ready to operate flights when the authorities give a greenlight. Most probably it can take place towards July.
Please refer our update on 09th May for special visa requirements and other health and safety measures which are currently in discussion.
02 May 2020
Sri Lanka opens up the entire island on Monday the 11th May !
The 4 districts which had an extended curfew will join the other 21 districts to resume civilian life.
The government and the health authorities have reconfirmed the lifting of the extended curfew which was imposed in 4 districts including Colombo.
The other 21 districts will also join after the long weekend’s curfew to open the entire island at 5.00 a.m. on 11th May.
The health authorities have further emphasized the citizens to engage only in essential activities. The government institutions and private sector firms will also start their routines with strict guidelines and with minimum man power.
Movements between districts will be allowed only for essential services.
Schools, universities, private classes, other education institutes and cinemas will remain closed until further notice.
All international airports in Sri Lanka will continue to be closed for inbound international commercial passenger flights until further notice. However we understand SriLankan airlines is doing a feasibility study on resuming their operations towards mid-June.
Sri Lanka will introduce new screening methodologies in issuing visas. All on arrival visas will be stopped temporally. Some of the points which are being discussed are; (which are not regulated yet)
- A confirmed pre booking in SLTDA registered and COVID certified hotel or hotels. This can be done via a SLTDA registered Travel Company / Destination Management Company.
- Submission of Health Insurance and proof of return air ticket.
- Negative PCR report or positive anti body test report taken prior to landing in Sri Lanka to be uploaded with the visa application / or submit on arrival.
- Carrying out random PCR tests on arrival.
TTC Sri Lanka is in the process of formulating our own operational modules and prepare ourselves on new health and safety measures in line with Sri Lanka Tourism guidelines. We will be ready to handle all our clients with utmost safety when Sri Lanka opens boarders to selected countries in initial phases.
02 May 2020
Sri Lanka delays the opening up of 4 districts till 11th May !
21 districts are open with night time and weekend curfews. Resumption of civilian life in the other 4 districts, including Colombo will start from 11th May.
Due to the risk of a new cluster which had been identified amongst the Sri Lankan Navy (who were involved in rescue operation), the resumption of civilian life in the 4 districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Putlam have been postponed until 11th May.
The government has advised to start the activities in government and private sector establishments from 11th May as a step towards resumption of normal life. However, it will be done with a strict plan, step by step.
In all other districts, curfew is in place only during the night and during weekends. The people of those districts have started their normal day-to-day activities.
Movements between districts will not be allowed except for essential services. Schools, universities, private classes, other education institutes and cinemas will remain closed until further notice.
All international airports in Sri Lanka will continue to be closed for inbound international commercial passenger flights until further notice. SriLankan airlines have announced that they will carry out few routes to London, Melbourne and to some selected countries to bring back the Sri Lankans who want to return home
Let the world be free from COVID 19 sooner !
24 April 2020
Day-today activities in 21 districts continues with night time curfew in place & the curfew in other 4 districts have been extended by a week till 4th May.
The ongoing curfew in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam will be extended by another week to be in force until 5.00am on of Monday, 4th May. However residents of these districts can go out to obtain essentials within a limited area on a special programme based on their national identification number.
The normal life in the other districts have been quite normal. People are getting back to their normal lives and livelihoods. However night time curfew will be in force daily from 8.00 p.m. till 05.00 a.m. on the following day.
Travelling to and from the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam is completely prohibited for every citizen.
SriLankan airlines have started special flights to fly down the Sri Lankan students who are stranded in selected countries whilst the airline announced its regular scheduled flights cancellations till the 15th May.
All airports will continue not welcome any commercial passenger movements until further notice
20 April 2020
Sri Lanka’s 24/7 lockdown lifts (most updated):
21 districts from today the 20th and the other 4 districts from 27th with night time and weekend curfews in place thereafter.
As per the most updated programme, the ongoing curfew in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam will remain in force until 5.00am on Monday, April 27th.
In all other districts, curfew has been lifted since 5.00 am today the 20th and will be effective from 8.00pm to 5.00am till Friday, the April 24th.
The curfew in these areas will be re-imposed at 8.00pm on Friday, the 24th April and continue over the weekend until 5.00am on Monday, April 27th.
Travelling to and from the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam is completely prohibited for every citizen.
The authorities have identified 21 police divisions within the 4 high risk districts and the curfew will not be lifted in those police divisions until further notice.
Schools, universities, tuition classes and other education institutes and cinemas will remain closed until further notice.
Special seating plans are being implemented when using public transportation. All international airports in Sri Lanka will continue to be closed for inbound international commercial passenger flights until further notice.
Movements between districts will not be allowed except for essential services. Schools, universities, tuition classes, other education institutes and cinemas will remain closed until further notice. Once the curfew is relaxed, state entities including Departments, Corporations and Banks will operate as usual.
Let the world be free from COVID 19 sooner than we think !
Let the world be free from COVID 19 sooner than we think !
Stay safe, stay strong !
15 April 2020
- Sri Lanka is one of the very few countries which has been taking timely and prompt measures against COVID 19, says WHO and European Union.
- Still Island wide curfew is on, until further notice.
- Work from home has been officially extended till 20th April while the schools are scheduled to reopen by 11th May.
- All inbound commercial passenger flights are stopped until further notice.
- Normal life might restart from mid-May. Sri Lanka to remain isolated from the world, further.
Sri Lanka has been appraised by WHO and the European union as one of the few countries which has taken proactive measures in minimizing the spread of COVID 19 and the deaths related to same.
The Island wide curfew has been in active throughout inspite of Sri Lanka celebrated its Sinhala and Tamil New year on the 13th and 14th April.
The curfew in the high risk districts, Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutura, Puttalam, Kandy and Jaffna are still active until further notice. In all other districts, curfew will be lifted on certain days for approximately for 8 hours and will commence on the same day.
The government’s request to work from home for Public and Private sectors has been further extended till 20th April and we see a great possibility that it will be further extended.
The reopening of schools for the 2nd term has been extended until 11th May.
The government has put in place a mechanism to continuously supply essential food and other goods enabling the public to purchase them while at homes, during curfew hours. Those who are engaged in paddy farming and fishing and cultivation of small tea holdings and export crops in any district are permitted to carry out their activities.
Traveling to and from all districts is still completely prohibited except for the purpose of providing essential services.
Sri Lanka Tourism is attending to the needs and safety of the tourists who are still in Sri Lanka.
All international Airports in Sri Lanka will continue to be closed for inbound international commercial passenger flights until further notice. SriLankan airlines and few other airlines have been operating special outbound flights in order to send the foreign travelers back to their countries.
With the current curtailment measures, there is a great possibility that the curfew will be completely taken off towards mid-May. However there is a great possibility Sri Lanka to be remained isolated from rest of the world towards end May. These information is based on current updates and the spread of the virus in the island and we will be updating in case of any change.
March 22 ,2020
The curfew has been extended in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutura, Puttalam, Kandy and Jaffna until further notice. In all other districts, curfew will be lifted on certain days for approximately for 8 hours.
Traveling to and from all districts is completely prohibited except for the purpose of providing essential services.
There is a great possibility the island wide curfew will be reconsidered by 13th April in lieu of the Sri Lankan New Year which falls on 14th April.
The village Atalogama in the Kalutara district and the village Akurana in the Kandy district have been declared completely isolated areas.
Sri Lanka Tourism is attending to the needs and safety of the tourists who are still in Sri Lanka.
All international Airports in Sri Lanka will continue to be closed for inbound international commercial passenger flights until 2359hrs on 7 April 2020. SriLankan airlines and few other airlines have been operating outbound flights in order to send the foreign travelers back to their countries.
We see a high possibility that this will continue further towards end April based on the current risk and the precautions which have been taken by the health authorities.
March 22 ,2020
Sri Lanka remains locked down indefinitely since 18th March midnight.
The initial 3 day public holiday which was declared on 16th March was later extended till 27th March as “work from home.”
Island wide curfew was imposed over the weekend. The curfew has been extended for certain parts of the island till 24th March 6 AM. The same will be reimposed on the same day at 2 PM in certain areas.
All tourist sites remained closed. The tourism bureau and the tourist police are taking special arrangements to make sure all tourists who remained in the island are safe. Most of the hotels which have in-house guests are functioning under strict guidance from the health ministry.
TTC Sri Lanka has coordinated with our partners to make sure all our clients are returned to their respective countries before the lock down.
March 18, 2020
The Government of Sri Lanka has decided to stop all incoming passengers to Sri Lanka from all airports, including Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with effect from 18th March midnight . There is no restriction on outgoing passengers as at now.
Earlier today the government also announced public holidays till 19th March 2020.
The Government has also requested the private sector to comply with the same. The same will not be applicable for essential services, health care, food & transport sectors and banks. Further extensions will be evaluated depending on the situation.
All National Parks, Museums and major tourist sites will be also be closed till 29th March.
