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COVID-19: PCR Testing & Sample Collection

Reference is made to our circular no. 88-QARS/CIR/2020/51, dated August 1, 2020.

 

Regarding PCR testing, please be informed that tourist facilities must have a trained medical professional to collect samples for Covid-19 testing. HPA can provide training for sample collection and safe transportation. Moreover, tourist facilities can liaise with transportation providers to send the sample to a testing facility according to guidelines of HPA. Further to our circular mentioned above, please find below options tourist facilities can adopt for staff and tourists who require such a test as a requirement of the airline they are flying or the screening process required from the next port of disembarkation of the guest.

 

  1. Tourist facilities may liaise with licensed private laboratories for sampling of tourists and staff for COVID-19 testing in accordance with the procedures set forth by the respective laboratory. For transportation of the samples to the laboratory, tourist facilities may utilize available domestic transportation arrangements or additionally Tourist Police station at Male’ Velana International Airport will facilitate the transportation arrangements of the samples from VIA to laboratories in Male’ area.

 

  1. Government of Maldives have allocated set number of slots per day for Covid-19 PCR testing of departure guests at IGMH. Tourists facilities may follow the “IGMH Pathway for Covid-19 testing on Departure” attached with this circular for testing arrangements. Tourist facilities are required to fulfill all arrangements of taking the samples and submitting them to IGMH laboratory in accordance with the HPA’s “Protocol for Covid-19 testing in a tourist establishment prior to departure” attached with circular. For tests carried out at IGMH, tourist facilities are required to book a testing slot prior to a minimum of 72 hours ahead of departure flight time and to submit the samples to the laboratory 48 hours ahead of departure.

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