Latest Update on COVID-19 from Sri Lanka Tourism

As of 5th March 2020

• There have been no deaths resulting from COVID-19 in Sri Lanka.
• Presently there are no positive cases of the epidemic in Sri Lanka.
• The sole COVID-19 patient in Sri Lanka was discharged from hospital after recovery on 19th February 2020.
• The total number of individuals under observation in Sri Lanka as of 05th March 2020 are 19.
• On 04th February 2020, the Sri Lankan government suspended the issuance of visa on arrival to Chinese tourists as a preventive measure to control the spread of the virus in the country. Chinese nationals are required to submit their visa application while in China before arriving in Sri Lanka. The visa will be granted only after careful scrutiny of the applicant’s province and other information.
• Sri Lanka continues to welcome guests to the country, with the arrival of 228,434 visitors in January and 207,507 visitors in February 2020.
• The Government of Sri Lanka is monitoring the situation closely and continues to take all the necessary measures to ensure carriers of COVID-19 cannot enter the country via the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). 24-hour monitoring is conducted at the airport, including body temperature screenings with the assistance of the Health and Indigenous Medicine Services Ministry and Sri Lanka Army medical teams.
• Twelve hospitals around the island have been identified as treatment centres for those patients who may have been exposed to the virus.
• Our health professionals are highly skilled and capable of safeguarding all citizens and tourists.
• As we understand from specialists in the field, the virus is less potent in hot climates. The bulk of the cases have been in winter climates.
• The Government is confident of its capabilities to ensure tourists and citizens are safeguarded.

Read the full statement issued by Sri Lanka Tourism here

Statement Issued by Sri Lanka Tourism on 05th March 2020.