18/03/2020
Sri Lanka COVID 19 Update
12th March - 15th March 2020
15 th March 2020
Hotline
Government introduces a hotline 117 from 8 pm today for public to seek or provide information on Covid-19
Sri Lanka Navy Geared to Handle COVID-19 at Ports
The Sri Lanka Navy conducted a drill at the harbor yesterday (14th March) to rehearse Standard Operational Procedure that could be adopted in the event of transferring a suspected COVID-19 patient from a ship to hospital ashore and quarantining a particular area on the land.
Sri Lanka Limits Provision of Consular Services in Overseas Missions
The Ministry of Foreign Relations has decided to limit the provision of consular services in 11 Sri Lanka Missions overseas commencing 16th March until further notice. These Missions have arranged to restrict services related only to the issuance of temporary/emergency travel documents, issuance and certification of documents relevant to deaths of Sri Lankans and any other emergency consular service deemed necessary, on a case by case basis. This will be done based on prior appointments obtained from the Missions.
Ban on Public Gatherings
The Police Media Division stated that hosting any event, including gatherings that involve large crowds of people will be prohibited for two weeks with effect from 15th March 2020.
14 th March 2020
Screening of Films Halted
All movie theatres under the purview of the National Film Corporation have been requested by the Cultural Affairs Ministry to suspend screening of movies until further notice. The decision was made taking into consideration the prevailing health concerns due to the threat of COVID-19 in the country.
13 th March 2020
Temporary Suspension of Visa for the following 12 countries
A temporary suspension of Visas will be in effect for Qatar, Bahrain, France, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden and Austria for a period of two weeks from 23:59 hrs (local time in Sri Lanka) on 15th March and it will come to an end at 24:00 hrs (local time in Sri Lanka) on 29th March 2020. This is in addition to Iran, Republic of Korea and Italy.
Sri Lankan Passengers from Europe, excluding the UK, to be Quarantined
Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced that all travel beginning from France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden and Austria will be banned for two weeks from 15 – 29 March 2020. All airlines flying to Sri Lanka are strongly instructed not to board any passenger, either originating from the aforementioned countries or who has been to these countries within the last 14 days.
Travel Ban on Eight Additional Countries for Two Weeks
Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced that all travel beginning from France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden and Austria will be banned for two weeks from 15 – 29 March 2020. All airlines flying to Sri Lanka are strongly instructed not to board any passenger, either originating from the aforementioned countries or who has been to these countries within the last 14 days.
Two Week Travel Ban on all Passengers Arriving from South Korea, Italy and Iran
The Government of Sri Lanka has imposed a two week travel ban on passengers from South Korea, Italy and Iran, starting 14th March 2020. Accordingly, the Government has advised all airlines to refrain from boarding passengers either originating from South Korea, Italy and Iran, or having been in any of the three countries within the last 14 days.
Self-declaration Forms for All Travellers
Passengers of all international flights entering into Sri Lanka from any port are required to provide personal particulars, address and contact number in Sri Lanka, and travel history to health officials and immigration officials.
Hotline for COVID-19 Information
The Department of Government Information has shared two hotline numbers for the general public to obtain information on COVID-19. The numbers are +94 710107107 or +94 (0) 113071073.
12 th March 2020
On-arrival Visa Suspended
Sri Lanka has indefinitely suspended the issuance of on-arrival visas for all visitors. Visa applications need to be made prior to arrival, through the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) website here.
Closure of Schools
The Ministry of Education has declared that all schools on the island will be closed from 13th March to 20th April 2020.