Where vaccinated Sri Lankans can travel now and in the near future.

Beforehand note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, regulations and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal health conditions into consideration before departure.

As travel has been largely paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rollout of the vaccine has become the gamechanger that’ll hopefully help most travelers resume canceled plans or even map out a whole new adventure soon. We are giving you a short overview of several European countries which have (or are going to soon) open their borders for vaccinated travelers outside the EU and also for travelers who have not yet vaccinated but do their homework before arrival.

CROATIA

Croatia welcomes vaccinated travelers from countries outside EU, including from Sri Lanka, exempting from pre-arrival testing or self-isolation requirements, according to Croatia’s Ministry of the Interior. Vaccinated travelers must arrive at least 14 days after receiving their final shot of either a two-dose vaccine or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Regardless of their vaccination status, the travelers must also show proof of a paid accommodation in a hotel, camp, private rental, or a rented boat. A reservation is not sufficient, it must also be paid for in advance.

Alternatively, Croatia also welcomes Sri Lankans who have not been vaccinated but requires them to either show proof of a negative PCR or rapid antigen COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of arriving to the country or show proof they have contracted COVID-19 and recovered within the last six months before travel. Children below 7 years old with a parent or guardian are exempted from these regulations. Those who arrive with a negative rapid test and stay longer than 10 days will have to get re-tested within those 10 days and then continue their journey.

GREECE

Greece plans to welcome fully vaccinated tourists and other foreign visitors outside the EU, including Sri Lankans, with coronavirus antibodies or negative test results just in time for summer this year.

The country hopes to officially roll out its welcome mat on May 14 as news agency Reuters reported. As Greece is a nation heavily depended on tourism, this plan would be ideal to get more visitors in a regulated manner.

Greece is aiming to kick off its vital summer season by mid-May, The tourism minister Theocharis informed in March, as he addressed the ITB Berlin trade show from the Athens Acropolis Museum,

“Greece is ready with a complete protocol for summer 2021,” he said. “Tourists will be welcome if before travel they are either vaccinated, or have antibodies, or test negative. All tourists will be subject to random testing.”

ICELAND

Iceland is welcoming fully vaccinated travelers from outside the EU, including Sri Lanka, starting April 6 without the need to quarantine or undergo mandatory testing, according to the government of Iceland.

Alternatively, the country will also welcome travelers who can show proof they were infected with COVID-19 and recovered in the months before the travel.

Tags: corona travel updates, countries open for tourism, post covid travel, tourism, travel after vaccination, travel after vaccinations, vaccinated traveler destinations