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Coronavirus in Sri Lanka (live updates)

THIS BLOG IS OUTDATED. For more information on travelling to Sri Lanka post-covid (2022), please refer to this article.

Corona Virus Sri Lanka Live Updates

There is a lot of conflicting information from the gossip tree and news agencies about the status of the Corona virus in Sri Lanka. This article breaks down the information in a timeline as best as possible with continuous updates.

OTHER ARTICLES

  1. Travel advice and updates in Sri Lanka
  2. Curfew / Lock out details
  3. Travelers questions, should I stay or should I go?  
  4. COVID-19 infection map for Sri Lanka
  5. COVID-19 tourism map for Sri Lanka (hotels still open, taxis etc)

ABOUT COVID-19

  • Around 17.9% of people affected by coronavirus do not show any symptoms.

  • For self-medicating, the WHO recommends paracetamol instead of ibuprofen.

  • Symptoms typically appear 2-14 days after exposure. For instance, the three most common symptoms are fever, coughing, and shortness of breath (WHO).

  • In Italy, 99% of the people who died from the virus had other illnesses.

  • Droplets from a cough or sneeze carry the virus. This virus remains viable, or able to infect people, in aerosols for at least three hours. In addition, a viable virus could be detected on plastic and stainless steel after three days. However, on cardboard, the virus was not viable after 24 hours. On copper, the virus became inactive after four hours.

01/04/2020 – Validity period of all visa’s extended!

The Department of Immigration and Emigration announced an extension for all foreign visas. Specifically, they extended the validity period for all visa categories until May 12, 2020, for foreigners currently in Sri Lanka.

25/03/2020 – 102 cases of COVID-19

Sri Lanka’s confirmed COVID-19 cases jumped to 102. This came after the Health Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit announced five new infections yesterday.

18/03/2020 – 50 cases of COVID-19

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi announced nine new coronavirus patients. This brings the country’s total number of confirmed cases to 50. Speaking at a press briefing, she noted that officials had identified 41 patients by yesterday. They then identified another eight today, with a ninth confirmed during the press conference itself.

The minister explained the origins of the new cases. For instance, two had arrived from Italy and one from India. Three others were tour guides who had contact with English tourists. She said that most of the new patients are people who have arrived from highly affected countries.

Furthermore, the minister provided details about yesterday’s 13 cases. Four had arrived from Italy and two had returned from India. One each came from Qatar and England, while another two were tourist guides.

Meanwhile, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe gave an update. He stated that doctors are treating 212 suspected COVID-19 patients in selected hospitals. He also said they are preparing more facilities in case patient numbers increase.

17/03/2020 – All arrivals to BIA halted

Sri Lanka will suspend passenger arrivals from all countries at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) starting tomorrow. The arrival suspension will last until March 31. However, reports indicate that cargo, departures, and transit will continue. This decision is a measure to restrict the entry of COVID-19 into the country. Previously, officials shut down the Jaffna International Airport (JIA) for two weeks.

17/03/2020 – 34 cases of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka confirmed

The number of COVID-19 positive cases in Sri Lanka has climbed to 34, says Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi. Director-General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe stated one of the six new patients is the wife of a tour guide who tested positive previously. Among the other new patients, two had returned from the United Kingdom and Germany. Officials also reported two new patients from the Kelaniya and Marawila areas. Meanwhile, a person who returned from Qatar also tested positive while residing in Udugampola.

17/03/2020 – Police registration for travelers from Europe, Iran, South Korea

If you arrived in Sri Lanka between March 1st and March 15th from Europe, Italy, or South Korea, you need to identify yourself to the local police.

17/03/2020 – directly issuing train tickets cancelled

The Sri Lanka Railway Station Master’s Union has stopped accepting cash for tickets at station counters until further notice. In addition, the Union said they have stopped accepting parcels for transport. This decision took effect at 12 noon today (17) due to the spread of COVID-19. The Union pointed out that if a Station Master becomes infected, the entire station will have to be quarantined. He said they halted direct ticket sales and parcel acceptance to avoid this inconvenience. However, this will not impair the Station Master’s role in train operations. The Union also said that station masters will remain on duty to oversee all trains and no station will shut down.

16/03/2020 – Museum Closures

  • The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Cultural and Religious Affairs decided to temporarily close all museums in the country. As a result, it will close 11 national museums around the island until further notice, effective March 16th.

    Source #1: adaderana.lk

16/03/2020 – Number of Corona cases increases to 21

Health officials have diagnosed another seven returnees from Italy as positive for coronavirus. This brings the total number of cases in the country to 18, stated the Director-General of Health Dr. Anil Jasinghe. They had been in quarantine at the Kandakadu facility.

15/03/2020 – Incoming flights from UK, Norway, Belgium suspended

Officials have suspended all flights to Sri Lanka from the United Kingdom, Norway, and Belgium starting tomorrow. The Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) stated this travel restriction will be in effect for two weeks.

15/03/2020 – Public holiday announced for 16/03/2020

The government announced a public holiday for March 16, 2020.

15/03/2020 – Quarantine previous arrivals from Italy

Officials will take steps to identify and quarantine those who arrived from Italy and did not undergo a quarantine period. Director-General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe stated this. In this manner, they will identify persons who arrived between March 1st and March 9th for quarantine.

14/03/2020 – Number of cases in Sri Lanka increases to 10

Health officials have identified two more Coronavirus positive cases in Sri Lanka. Dr. Anil Jasinghe, the Director-General of Health Services, stated that these two female patients bring the total to ten. One had returned from Italy, while the other is a relative of a previously identified patient.

14/03/2020 – National Parks to be closed for 2 weeks

The Wildlife Department will close its zoological gardens, botanical gardens, and national parks for two weeks. The Department of Government Information announced that this measure will be effective from tomorrow.

14/03/2020 – Number of Corona patients in Sri Lanka raised to 8

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said the number of patients who tested positive for Coronavirus has risen to seven. Following this announcement, another Sri Lankan who returned from Italy also tested positive. Accordingly, the total number of confirmed cases now stands at eight. Officials identified this patient at the Kandakadu quarantine center and the patient is now receiving treatment at Polonnaruwa Hospital.

13/03/2020 – Three more cases of Corona confirmed

One patient is a 41-year-old Sri Lankan male who arrived from Germany and is now in the IDH Hospital. The other two patients were in quarantine at the facility in Kandakadu. One is a 37-year-old who arrived from Italy. He is currently at the Polonnaruwa Hospital. The other is a 43-year-old male, also from Italy, who is at IDH. This brings the total number of confirmed cases in Sri Lanka to five.

13/03/2020 – Travel Ban European Countries

The Government of Sri Lanka has imposed a travel ban on passengers from several European countries. These include France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, and Austria. Consequently, the Government has informed all airlines to stop carrying passengers from those countries to Sri Lanka.

Mr. Upul Dharmadasa, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, said the decision will be in effect until March 29, 2020. Officials reported this ban on March 13th, and it will start on March 15th at 23:59.

During this period, officials strongly instructed all airlines not to board any passenger on a flight to Sri Lanka if they are from these countries. This also applies to anyone who has visited these countries within the last 14 days.

13/03/2020 – Travel Ban Iran, Italy & S. Korea

The Government of Sri Lanka has imposed a travel ban on all passengers from South Korea, Italy, and Iran. The government has informed all airlines to stop carrying passengers from those three countries to Sri Lanka. The Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority said the decision will be in effect for two weeks, starting March 14th.

 

13/03/2020 – Situation Report

The Ministry of Health Epidemiology unit reports that 29 individuals are under observation and there have been two confirmed cases. Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva noted that 935 persons are currently under quarantine in three centers. He also noted that officials are transporting 103 persons who arrived since 7 am on March 13th to a quarantine center. Furthermore, officials have set up coronavirus hotlines. The public can call 0710107107 or 0113071073 for any inquiries.

12/03/2020 – Schools Closed

On March 12th, the Ministry of Education decided to close all Government schools. The closure will last from March 13th until April 20th. They took this decision to prevent parents from worrying about the spread of the Coronavirus.

11/03/2020 – On Arrival Visa Suspended

The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) has suspended all visa-on-arrival services. This follows the previous ban for Chinese nationals. However, passengers can still obtain e-Visas online to arrive in the country.

11/03/2020 – Second Reported Sri Lankan Patient

A second person in Sri Lanka has tested positive for Coronavirus. The 44-year-old man reportedly stayed with the first Sri Lankan patient. He was admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) and is currently receiving treatment.

10/03/2020 – 14 day quarantine

Passengers arriving in Sri Lanka from Italy, South Korea, and Iran must stay in quarantine facilities for 14 days. This rule applies regardless of nationality.

10/03/2020 – First Reported Sri Lankan Patient

The first confirmed Sri Lankan patient is a 52-year-old tour guide who worked with a group of Italians. He is currently at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH). Dr. Jasinghe reports the patient’s son has not contracted the virus, and officials have completely quarantined the family.

04/02/2020 – Visa on Arrival Removed for Chinese Travelers

Officials have cancelled visa-on-arrival facilities for Chinese travelers. Now, they must apply for electronic visas (E-Visas). The government will scrutinize these applications heavily to minimize the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

27/01/2020 – First Reported Patient

The first reported patient in Sri Lanka to test positive was a 47-year-old Chinese woman from Hubei Province. Officials screened her at the airport for a high fever and admitted her to the hospital. She recovered fully, and doctors discharged her on February 1st. Sudath Suraweera, the country’s chief epidemiologist, said officials have identified the hotels where she and her companions stayed.

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