Sri Lanka VTL: ARTs now accepted for pre-departure testing

If a Sri Lanka VTL trip is on the cards for you, here’s some good news: the cheaper, faster antigen rapid tests (ARTs) are now valid for pre-departure testing, bringing down the overall cost of travel significantly. 

This could result in savings of more than S$300 for a family of four, and reduces the amount of lead time you need to budget (since ART results come out much faster than PCRs, and pre-departure ARTs can now be done from the comfort of your home). 

Sri Lanka now accepts pre-departure ARTs

From 29 January 2022, international travellers to Sri Lanka must present either:

• a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before departure, or
• a negative ART result taken within 48 hours before departure

Results must be in English and in hard copy.

This requirement has been updated in the all-important TIMATIC database (which is what airlines refer to) and on Sri Lanka’s tourism website, but is yet to be reflected on Singapore Airlines’ travel advisory page.

The inclusion of ARTs as a pre-departure testing option will significantly reduce costs for travellers, specially those with family in tow. For comparison, the cheapest pre-departure PCR test in Singapore starts from S$95, while a supervised Tele-ART done in the comfort of your home will cost less than S$20. 

For a detailed overview on the cheapest pre-departure tests in Singapore, refer to the post below.

Cheapest pre-departure COVID-19 ART and PCR tests in Singapore

Back on 10 December 2021, Sri Lanka removed the pre-departure testing requirement for children below the age of 12 (prior to this, all travellers aged two and older needed to test). This policy remains unchanged. 

Interestingly enough, Sri Lanka considers children aged 12-18 years to be fully vaccinated if they receive at least a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least two weeks prior to departure. However, this group will not be able to return to Singapore on a VTL flight unless they receive their full regime (the vaccine exemption only applies to those 12 and under), so take note.

Sri Lanka VTL testing cost

With the latest rules, here’s an illustration of how much a round-trip traveller from Singapore to Sri Lanka will incur in testing costs.

As a reminder, Singapore has simplified its post-arrival testing regime for VTL travellers. From 24 January 2022, there is no longer any need for supervised ART swabs on Days 3 & 7, or to report the results of self-administered ARTs. Travellers will only need to swab themselves during the Day 2-7 period on days they intend to leave their accommodation. 

Recently recovered?

If you’re fully vaccinated and have recently recovered from a COVID-19 infection, you will not be required to undergo pre-departure testing or testing on arrival in Singapore, and will be exempt from SHN regardless of whether you return on a VTL or non-VTL flight. 

This is provided you can present either of the following documents:

• a positive COVID-19 PCR or professionally-administered ART result dated between 7-90 days before date of departure to Singapore or
• a discharge memo 

Either document must:

• state the traveller’s name and at least one other personal identifier (e.g. date of birth, passport number)
• state the date of infection or discharge date, which must be within 7-90 days before the date of departure for Singapore
• be issued by a relevant state authority or licensed medical professional

In other words, the only test requirements that apply to you in this scenario is the pre-departure ART/PCR test before travelling to Sri Lanka. 

For more details, refer to the article below.

Big news: No more SHN, testing or “14-day stranding” for recently-recovered vaccinated travellers to Singapore

Overall travel process to Sri Lanka

Here’s a summary of the travel requirements for fully vaccinated travellers to Sri Lanka.

• Carry a COVID-19 vaccination certificate with primary regime completed at least two weeks before departure
• Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) (not required for citizens of Singapore, the Maldives and Seychelles)
• Complete a Health Declaration Form prior to boarding
• Present a hard copy of a negative COVID-19 ART or PCR test
• Purchase mandatory COVID-19 travel insurance from this government portal (fixed price of US$12 for one month coverage), even if you have your own coverage

Regarding vaccinations, Sri Lanka says that “any vaccination type accepted by the country of origin will be accepted”, which means no issues for those who have received Sinovac/Sinopharm jabs.

Fully vaccinated travellers (including unvaccinated children below 12) will not be subject to any on-arrival testing, and may make their own arrangements for accommodation, airport transfers and local transportation. However, they’re encouraged to engage “safe and secure certified” accommodations and travel agents, a list of which can be found here. 

The full details of the respective travel arrangements can be found below:

• Fully vaccinated travellers
• Unvaccinated travellers
• Recovered travellers

VTL flights from Sri Lanka

There is no restriction on the flights that travellers may take to Sri Lanka, but if your trip is <14 days, you’ll want to make sure you either fly non-stop, or only transit in Category I or VTL countries en route (since a 14-day travel history that includes non-Category I/non-VTL countries will disqualify you from taking a VTL flight back to Singapore). 

However, travellers will need to take a VTL flight from Sri Lanka to Singapore if they wish to avoid a 7-day SHN on arrival. VTL flights from Sri Lanka to Singapore are currently operated by Singapore Airlines and SriLankan Airlines, as per the following schedule.

Schedules will change after 26 March 2022, so refer to the Singapore Airlines or SriLankan Airlines website for the latest information. 

As a reminder, here’s the requirements for VTL travel to Singapore. 

Conclusion

Sri Lanka now accepts pre-departure ARTs in lieu of the more expensive PCR variety, and it’s good news especially for those travelling as a family. You can do a tele-ART from the comfort of your home at just S$17.84 or so a pop, which gives you a certificate that’s valid for international travel. 

Will 2022 be the year that more and more countries decide ARTs are good enough? Let’s hope so.