COLOMBO - Sri Lanka’s tourism industry hopes to welcome international visitors in July as the country’s government begins to wind back Covid-19 lockdown measures.
The government will provide visas for tourists on the production of a health certificate from July 2020 onwards, provided there is no increase or escalation in new confirmed cases.
Although no timeline has yet been established for the resumption of international tourism, the industry is hoping to restart domestic tourism in mid- June and international tourism a month later.
An island wide curfew was lifted at 0500hrs May 18, except in the districts of Colombo and Gampaha where the curfew will remain in place, until further notice.
Sri Lanka has been under a continuous lockdown since March 24, a week after the first local victim of the pandemic was reported.
All restaurants, places of entertainment and schools will remain closed until further notice.
The government will provide visas for tourists on the production of a health certificate from July 2020 onwards, provided there is no increase or escalation in new confirmed cases.
There will also be new protocols and health checks in place at the airport as well as hotels, tourist attractions and public sites.
Extension of visas for foreign nationals stranded in Sri Lanka has been extended for a further period up to 11 June 2020.