Amid the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic along with the crew change crisis within shipping industry, Health Ministry of Sri Lanka revised quarantine procedure for seafarers, tourists and travellers.
To remind before departure:
Before boarding on a plane, eligible passengers under the Sri Lanka Tourism safety protocol are required to present the a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate for a test done within 96 hours of the time of boarding, or a Rapid Antigen test within 48 hours prior to embarkation.
However, according to the Emirates airlines:
Sri Lankan seafarers holding approval for exemption of pre‑boarding COVID‑19 PCR, from Ministry of foreign affairs, are exempted.
On Arrival:
Two COVID‑19 PCR tests must be carried out on all passengers, except for diplomatic passport holders and seafarers, as mandated by the Government of Sri Lanka.
In other words, crewmembers who return to Sri Lanka have been exempted from a pre-flight Coronavirus test by health authorities, if they get on the plane straight from their ship without as long as the airline is prepared to board them.
