Updates on the Covid-19 Situation in the Maldives

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Maldives’ Covid-19 Situation Updates

To get the latest updates on COVID-19 for Maldives please visit Health Ministry Covid-19 Dashboard

  • Planning your Trip
    • The Government of Maldives will resume the issuing of on arrival tourist visas from July 15 2020.
    • There is NO mandatory quarantine on arrival to the Maldives. For non-tourist visitors travelling to an inhabited island, you are required to undergo self-quarantine of 14 days upon arrival at the island.
    • To ensure the safety of all, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has made it a mandatory requirement for all tourists to present a Negative result for a nucleic acid test (PCR test) for Covid-19 on arrival effective 10th September 2020. The sample for the said test must be taken not more than 96 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure from the first port of embarkation en route to the Maldives. However, please be informed that infants aged less than one-year-old are exempted from the aforementioned testing requirement. Please refer to our circular number 88-PS/CIR/2020/73 and the Air Transport Circular AT-2020/Issue 03.
    • Please note that upon arrival into the Maldives, those who exhibit Covid-19 symptoms will have to undergo a PCR test. If you are travelling in a group, all members of the group must undergo testing.
    • The guideline published by the Ministry of Tourism in coordination with the Health Protection Agency “Public health interventions to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID 19 in the tourism sector” thoroughly details what tourists & tourist establishments should expect and be prepared for under the new normal conditions.
    • Official updates from Visit Maldives
    • Official updates from Ministry of Health
    • Official updates from MoFA
  • VISA Requirements
    • FREE 30-day visa ON-ARRIVAL VISA for ALL TOURISTS.
    • Passport must have at least 1-month validity from the date of your expected departure in the Maldives.
    • A confirmed pre-booking at a registered tourist facility is a pre-requisite for the visa. Up until guesthouse tourist facilities are to be reopened at a later date, a booking is considered valid ONLY for a tourist resort facility, liveaboards, and/or pre-approved transit facilities..
    • Tourist visa extensions will be made available for long-stay tourists without imposition of any further fees.
  • Booking your Accommodation
    • Resorts, Liveaboards and hotels located at uninhabited islands will be open for tourists from July 15, 2020.
    • The Government will permit reopening of Tourist Guesthouses on 15th October 2020. Please refer to our circular number 88-PS/CIR/2020/68 .
    • Tourists are now allowed to stay in multiple tourist resorts and/or tourist guesthouses, or combine both in one stay, given the split-stay procedures are complied with prior to transfer from each tourist facility. Please refer to our circular number 88-PS/CIR/2020/73 which details the current inter-island travel procedures. Please note that the inter-island travel procedures will be done on your behalf by the tourist facility. However, any movements between vessels and resorts/guesthouses cannot be authorized at the moment.
  • Before your Departure to Maldives
    • It is mandatory for ALL tourists to undergo a NUCLEIC PCR TEST RESULT 96 hours prior to their scheduled departure from their first point of embarkation en route to the Maldives.
  • During the Flight

    We recommend following these steps to protect yourself and others when you travel:

    • Please follow the guidance of your airline and airline crew at all times
    • Wear a face mask
    • Clean your hands often
    • If you feel the onset of symptoms while on board, inform the airline crew immediately.
  • Arrival to the Maldives

    Velana International Airport (VIA) has implemented social distancing measures with clearly visible signs and floor markings in passenger terminals.

    All visitors MUST keep a distance of at least ONE meter (3 FEET) between one another at all times, while in these spaces.

    Measures at the Border

    • As you disembark from the aircraft, airport authorities will ensure that all visitors are wearing masks.
    • As you enter the arrival terminal and make your way through to immigration, you will be guided past thermal screening cameras.
    • Hand sanitizers will be widely available throughout the airport. Please use it liberally.
    • Those who exhibit any Covid-19 symptoms will be asked to exit the queue and will be transferred to a designated testing area.
    • The Government of Maldives will also be carrying out Random Sampling on arrivals as part of our health surveillance measures. The cost for these voluntary tests will be borne by the Government of Maldives.
  • Airport Procedure
    • Hand sanitization and other protective measures will be provided at all immigration counters
    • After immigration counters all visitors must proceed to customs and baggage collection
    • If required, visitors must declare at Customs declaration zone before exiting the terminal to meet the resort representatives
  • Symptomatic Tourists

    If an individual exhibits Covid-19 symptoms on arrival, they will have to undergo a PCR test. If you are travelling in a group, all members of the group must undergo testing.

    Individuals who have been selected for PCR testing will be escorted to the testing area and then transferred to a transit facility until test results are received. Please note that the Government of Maldives will not bear the costs of these tests or stay at the transit facility.

    Government will take every step to ensure that results of tests are available within a maximum period of 24 hours from time at which sample is taken.

  • Domestic Transfers
    • We ask all visitors to wear a mask at all times and to remain in seats designated by the airline.
  • Transit Tourists
    • Individuals who have to transit overnight may stay in designated facilities in Male’ and Hulhumale’. These facilities have been given special permits by the Ministry of Tourism and the Health Protection Agency.
    • A list of these facilities can be found here.
  • At the Place of Stay
    • Tourist facilities operating in this phase have submitted Covid-19 management plans to authorities prior to re-opening. These facilities at a minimum ensure designated room for isolation, quarantine, access to medical care, social distancing measures, a Covid-19 safety manager.
    • All visitors must report any symptoms if any to the Safety Manager as soon as possible.
    • If a tourist exhibits any symptoms of Covid-19 they must self-isolate in their room, until a test is carried out. They must continue self-isolate until test results are received and even if they test negative, they MUST avoid common areas until all Covid-19 like symptoms clear up.
    • In case the guest tests positive, depending on their medical condition, they may stay in the resort in self-isolation if the resort allows it.
  • Departure From Maldives
  • Quarantine or Isolation
    • A mandatory 14-day quarantine will be implemented as per WHO guidance for close contacts
    • Travel will NOT BE allowed during quarantine period
  • Covid-19 Treatment In Maldives
    • Regional facilities for treating COVID-19 have been established throughout the country with relevant medical supplies in place.
  • Voluntary Testing
    • Voluntary PCR / Anti Body testing facilities will be made available for exit screen requirement. The tourist establishment of the guest will make necessary arrangements
  • Related Costs
    • Details of all costs of treatment, quarantining and testing can be passed on to tourist by the place of stay and are borne by the guest.
    • Find below the approximate costs that might be incurred by the guest;
      1. Cost of transit hotel (USD ----)
      2. PCR Testing (USD ----)
      3. Isolation and quarantine costs (USD ----)
      4. Transportation cost (USD ----)
      5. Available voluntary testing (USD ----)

Latest Updates

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