Corona-News

UPDATE 09.05.21
The entry regulations are constantly changing, so we cannot go into more detail here. IMPORTANT: Be sure to contact us before applying for the ETA.

UPDATE 07.04.21
New regulations for Hotel Quarantine with immidiate effect.

UPDATE 30.03.21
Since 23.03. we are listed as Safe& Secure Level 1 Hotel. It was a hard piece of work to get this certification.
If you intent to come to Sri Lanka, we advise to reed at your very first the FAQs and other relevant documents at the official website of the S.L.T.D.A. Tourism Authority, which are really helpful and answers a lot of questions. The procedures has to be followed, and important, also there should be enough time to be calculated for them. Here are the links:
https://www.srilanka.travel/helloagain/
https://srilanka.travel/helloagain/documents/FAQ/

UPDATE 19.03.21
We have passed the Safe & Secure Audit and will receive the Level 1 certificate next week. 
Yesterday, a new regulation was passed by the Ministry of Health, which contains relief especially for those who have already been vaccinated. The link downloads the pdf-file. Attention, only the second part is relevant for tourists.
Nothing has been published on the website of the tourism authority yet, small adjustments may still be made.
UPDATE 14.01.21
Bandaranaike International Airport and Mattale Rajapakse Airport are scheduled to reopen to tourists on 21.01.2021, according to the government.
Bandaranaike I.A. Airport has been classified as safe (Health and Safety) by the International Airports Council.
Arriving travellers must obtain special permission beforehand!
Please check with the airline and/or the Sri Lankan Embassy in good time. The requirements are constantly changing.
A 14-day quarantine in a quarantine hotel is compulsory, we hope to be part of it soon.
During the 14 days, tourists are allowed to change quarantine hotels.
Visits during the quarantine are possible, under the supervision of the authorities.
After that, if I understand correctly, you will be released into the wild (no guarantee).
A mobile app is planned for tourists to help them cope with the Covid19 regulations. To be launched at the end of January.

UPDATE 14.12.20:
Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport intents to open for Tourist-Charterflights on 26th of December.
Normal flights are to follow later.
More on Facebook.

UPDATE 04.11.20:
Unfortunately the virus has spread further, we have the second wave. Gampaha-, Western Province and regional locations are already in lockdown, all others have restrictions. The schools are closed nationwide.

UPDATE 17.10.20:
Due to stupidity of a textile factory, which brought back employees from its Indian branch by charter flight, we now have a new, hopefully still locally limited, corona hotspot. Until the health department gets this under control, the airport will certainly remain closed. Why are these people, as well as all stranded people, not tested on Covid-19 before departure and again after arrival, as tourists will have to do, I ask myself. It does not match. :-(

UPDATE 13.8.20:
Sri Lanka has received the Safe Travels Stamp from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Now some governments respectively their responsible offices should finally come into the pots when it matters travel warnings.

UPDATE 10.8.20:
The "Digital Reception" is online! Downloadable Forms for guests and visitors to check in, and all necessary local informations. New payment possibilities are now available.

UPDATE 7.7.20:
The fog is lifting. The course of action regarding tourism and Covid19 was announced today in an online meeting of the S.L.T.D.A. If you have not subscribed to our newsletter, you will find more details in the post on our Facebook page: "The cat's out of the bag".

UPDATE 14.6.20:
Possibly no increase in visa fees for Sri Lanka according to this article of colombopage.com.

UPDATE 7.6.20:
Sri Lanka Tourism ready to welcome tourists from 1st Aug 2020
Please find important informations and conditions using the link below.
Raja Beach Hotel is a certified accommodation by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority!
https://srilanka.travel/travel-news?news=729

UPDATE 31.5.20:
The airport is still closed, the Corona Task Force appointed by president advised for reopening on 1st of August.
New infections the last week only in the case of Srilankans stranded abroad, and Navy personnel. The situation seems to be under control. So the possibility of reopening might be much sooner.
We will reopen our hotel as planned on June 1st, so for now those who are in the country can rent rooms again. Disinfection measures and distance rules are being implemented to protect everyone.
As the situation is not predictable for our guests, we currently waive a deposit and offer a free cancellation of the booking until 48 hours before arrival.
The Cocobello Restaurant will remain closed to the public for the time being and will only serve our house guests "on demand".
Hopefully it will not be long before travel is possible again.
Until then - stay healthy!

UPDATE 13.5.20:
Curfews were lifted in all provinces except Colombo and Gampaha. We will therefore reopen the hotel as planned on 1st of June, under the government's hygiene and distance regulations. Overnight stays from June 1st can be booked immediately, for the time being without deposit and free cancellation up to 48 hours before arrival, as there are still travel restrictions and arrivals via the airport are not possible at the moment.

UPDATE 2.4.20:
As the pandemic holds on, the Arrival Terminal at the Airport is closed, a nationwide curfew is implemented, it makes no sense to reopen the Hotel nor the Restaurant. Our decision is, to close up to 31. May 2020, and we will inform you here if we can reopen before this date or if the closure must be further extended. Stay healthy!

20.3.20
Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, we have closed the Hotel and also the Cocobello Restaurant as a precautionary measure, for the time being until April 7th. We ask for your understanding.