The Government has decided to suspend the Visa-on-Arrival scheme granted for all international visitors until further notice, in a bid to mitigate the threat of the novel coronavirus.
Issuing a statement, the Government Information Department said the move is one of the decisions taken by the present administration to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.
The government has also requested the general public to suspend all non-essential overseas travels.
Meanwhile, the government has launched a social quarantine procedure following the spike in cases globally.
Accordingly all arrivals from Italy, Iran and South Korea will be kept in isolation for at least 14 days. The government will issue a certificate after the completion of the process to all persons who undergo the 14-day mandatory isolation.
The government is of the view that the public cannot reject the quarantine procedure that is been implemented for the safety and security of the country. According to the statement no individual has the legal right to refuse to undergo the mandatory coronavirus quarantine procedure. The government requests the public to support the government’s efforts to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus and ensure the safety of all Sri Lankans.