11 August 2020 update
WTTC extends safe travel stamp to Sri Lanka
The Travel Concierge exceeds complying with all protocols.
Recognising the safety protocols introduced by the Government of Sri Lanka along with standards mandated by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to ensure the safety of domestic and international travellers, destination Sri Lanka was recently endowed with the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp.
Whilst establishing confidence among tourists looking at the island paradise as a preferred destination to travel amidst the pandemic, the Safe Travels stamp will also allow them to recognise properties and businesses that diligently follow globally streamed health and hygiene protocols aligned with the WTTC’s Safe Travels Protocols, the SLTDA said.
“Having one of the world’s highest success rates in combatting Covid-19, positions Sri Lanka as an exemplary destination for safe travels,” says Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando, highlighting that the stringent safety standards imposed coupled with the country’s laudable healthcare system has highlighted the island as a travel destination that can offer unique experiences to tourists, whilst prioritising their health and sanitation.
She added that Sri Lanka is now geared to welcome international leisure travellers with all aspects of a traveller’s visit been thoroughly evaluated and necessary safety protocols put in place.
The WTTC’s Safe Travels stamp is the first of its kind, specifically designed to combat the ramifications of Covid-19 and similar outbreaks. Recognised and embraced by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the stamp allows travellers to trot the globe whilst ensuring their safety.
Envisioning a future of travel that is safe, secure, seamless and authentic, whilst supporting the livelihood of millions thus sustaining economic growth of countries, the new global Safe Travel protocols issued by the WTTC is helping the sector restart and speed up recovery post Covid-19.
The four-pillared protocols, namely Operational and Staff Preparedness, Ensuring a Safe Experience, Rebuilding Trust & Confidence and Implementing Enabling Policies, are built to reinstate confidence among travellers and initiate a consistent approach to health and hygiene.
The operational guidelines implemented by SLTDA following guidance from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation are put in place to minimize chances of community spreading of Covid-19 within Sri Lanka whilst avoiding unnecessary inconvenience to travellers.
The Travel Concierge exceeds all safety measures, guidelines and other protocols in restarting tourism in Sri Lanka and is registered and certified by SLTDA to restart inbound tourism operation when the Sri Lankan boarders open for selected source markets in the near future.
we anticipate knowing when the border will open shortly.
29 July 2020 update
Sri Lanka will take a call on reopening the boarders by mid August heading for parliamentary election
Sri Lanka hasn’t announced a reopening date of its boarders yet. TTC Sri Lanka learns that the officials will take a call after an evaluation by mid August.
Although the airports were supposed to open for tourists from 1st August the health authorities insisted the government to delay the decision.
In the meantime the entire island is open for regular activities including all national parks and tourist sites. Almost all the hotels are open and operating with the set health and safety measures under Health ministry supervision.
Although there was no communal Covid 19 spread in the country since 30th April, a new cluster sparked out from a rehabilitation centre in the East of the island on the 09th July and the officials have taken all measures to separate the affected citizens.
General election will be held on the 5th of August which was due from March.
The government legalised the wearing of safety masks as compulsory in all public places with a list of best practices in all hotels, super markets , train and bus stations and other public places
7 June 2020 update
Sri Lanka will delay the re-opening of the airport for tourists due to the 2nd wave which is taking place around the world.
No community spread in the island since 30th April.
Although Sri Lanka Tourism earlier announced the island will re-open its ports for tourists from 1stAugust, the authorities now want to delay the date. Although a fixed date is not yet officially announced, it will more likely to be towards end August or early September.
The reasons for the delay are 1. The health authorities want to observe the 2nd COVID 19 wave which is now taking place in different countries and 2. To give more priority for 38,000 Sri Lankans who have registered to return to Sri Lanka from different countries.
Sri Lanka is one of the few countries which has managed the pandemic so well with minimum of 11 deaths. Since 30th April, there hasn’t been any community spread in the island. The authorities want to make sure we carry out the best practices in order to safeguard the citizens as well as to make it a more safer place for tourists when it’s ready.The Travel Concierge Sri Lanka is looking forward to welcome the tourists for a more safer & greener destination with more sustainable practices very soon.
Sri Lanka might delay the opening of the airport for tourists.
Although Sri Lanka Tourism earlier announced that Sri Lanka will welcome tourists from 1st August and will open the airport for them, the authorities now want to delay the date. Although a fixed date is not yet officially been announced, it will most probably from mid August , though more likely to be end.
The reasons for the delay are 1. The health authorities want to observe the 2nd COVID 19 wave which is now taking place in different countries and 2. To give more priority for 38,000 Sri Lankans who have registered to return to Sri Lanka from different countries.
Sri Lanka is one of the few countries which has managed the pandemic so well with minimum of 11 deaths. Since 30th April, there hasn’t been any social spread in the island. The authorities want to make sure we carry out the best practices in order to safeguard the citizens as well as make it a more safer place for tourists when it’s ready.
The midnight curfew has been completely lifted and schools started !
The public life of Sri Lanka continues in a more stable manner whilst following the precautions set by the health authorities. All Sri Lankans are now permitted to travel to different districts and domestic tourism has started.
-The midnight curfew which was in force from midnight till 04.00 am has been completely lifted. The entire island is open completely from today, 29th June.
– Public and private schools will be opening in 4 steps from today, 29th June.
– All restrictions to travel through districts have been lifted.
-There had been a significant growth in domestic tourism while all hotels have started welcoming locals with promotional offers.
-All hotels follow the instructions which have been set by the health authorities such as monitoring the body temperature, carrying out necessary disinfection methods, use of masks by all hotel staff and etc.
-Since 30th April no COVID 19 positive patient was found from the society.
-The government is accepting Sri Lankans who are returning from foreign countries subject to a quarantine period of 21 days at a quarantine center and another 14 days in self isolation at their own houses.
-There is a possibility of postponing the opening day for foreigners which was earlier announced as 1st August. This is due to a possible 2nd wave taking place in surrounding countries and also the government wants to first give priority for the Sri Lankans living overseas to return home.
Sri Lanka is open for business !
The island is greener and cleaner than ever before. The “wild” was at their own since last March and now ready to welcome the visitors.
– Sri Lanka is open for foreigners from 1st Aug 2020.
-TTC Sri Lanka exceeds the measures and guide lines given by the health authorities in carrying out the operation.
-Earlier announced visa fee of USD 100 will most probably be revised to USD 35 and any other expenses i.e. the cost of a PCR test on arrival will be handled separate. Yet to formalize this.
-The guests will be able to board and land with a valid online visa from 1st August. The authorities are in the process of formalizing the samet.
-A PCR test will be done to each passenger on arrival. The industry and the authorities are in the process formalizing the same with least impact to the travelers.
-The National Wild life parks are opening for visitors starting 15th June onwards.
-Most of the hotels are already open or in the process of opening under strict health and safety guidelines.
-The most celebrated Kandy Perahera ( Kandy pageant ) will be held privately as scheduled from 26th June till 6th July and no public viewing has been permitted.
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