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Sri Lanka reopens to international tourists with 14-day bio-bubble arrangement

Sri Lanka reopens to international tourists with 14-day bio-bubble arrangement
February 4, 2021

Having reopened its borders on 21st January, Sri Lanka is adopting a bio-bubble approach in which international tourists can stay at one of 52 hotels that have been classified as Level 1 ‘Safe and Secure’  and visit a specific set of tourist attractions. 

Visiors will need at least three COVID tests to start with movement for the first 14 days restricted and monitored as part of the bio bubble in place for all tourists.

A bio-bubble is an arrangement that limits the interaction of a person to only those who have tested clean for COVID. It’s typically an arrangement for sportspersons or other large groups of people who arrive into a place. It could mean restrictions on movement, sometimes even within the hotel. And it almost always means regular COVID tests to make sure the integrity of the bubble is maintained.

Their interactions with those outside the bubble will be restricted. They cannot meet other groups of tourists.

Once the 14-day period has lapsed, and they clear another COVID test, travellers can move beyond the bubble and mingle with the locals.

Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort and Anantara Kalutara Resort are among the internationally branded five-star hotels that have been certified by the government as Level 1 ‘Safe and Secure’ to welcome international travellers as part of the country’s ‘bio-bubble’ approach to kick start tourism.

Anantara Kalutara Resort is set welcome international guests from 6th February 2021, and Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort from 22nd February 2021.

Under Sri Lanka’s new tourism safety protocols, international travellers have the flexibility to stay in several of the certified hotels during their initial 14-day bio-bubble period, for instance in a private pool villa at Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, combined with the tropical beach resort of Anantara Kalutara Resort.

The full suite of facilities including award winning restaurants and indulgent Anantara Spa treatments are open for guests to enjoy at both resorts. Guests can also participate in guided tours to some of Sri Lanka’s well known national parks or witness majestic whales in the ocean.

The country’s new ‘bio-bubble’ approach allows for international travellers to visit select attractions, which include Udawalawe and Yala National Parks in the south of the country, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, the island’s famed Sigiriya Fortress and to go whale watching from Mirissa. These places – and more – can be visited from either Anantara resort, travelling in fully sanitised luxury vehicles.

Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort and Anantara Kalutara Resort have implemented sweeping new health and hygiene measures focusing on guests’ wellbeing.  To ensure guests feel safe and secure during their stay, Anantara’s Stay With Peace of Mind programme builds on existing health and safety measures for heightened sanitisation and hygiene. Each resort has a dedicated ‘Guest Guardian’ responsible for regular disinfection and implementing social distancing measures where appropriate. From the fully sanitised airport transfers to the breakfast experience, guest to team member interactions are minimised to ensure that guest safety and wellbeing remains the utmost priority.

Click here for specific set of tourist attractions available to visit 

Click here for list of hotels available

For more information on Anantara visit www.anantara.com/srilanka

Image top: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage – one of Sri Lanka’s approved attractions; Image above courtesy of Anantara Resorts

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