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This article was last updated on 15th September 2021. Although we try and provide the latest COVID-related information in the Maldives, situations are likely to change at the last minute. You are therefore requested to check local government websites for up-to-date COVID protocols.
The last year and the past few months especially have been severely troubling for people across the globe. The impact of COVID-19 on businesses worldwide has been devastating. For countries like the Maldives, whose economy depends significantly on tourism, it has been incredibly challenging.
In a move to achieve some normalcy, the Maldives government first opened its doors to tourism on July 15, 2020. The island nation was quick to control the pandemic’s spread when it started, and at present, the Maldives has a recovery rate of over 90% with only a 0.33% mortality rate.
The Maldives set forth strategic alliances with countries like India in the beginning, forming a travel bubble allowing movement within nations. Now, the archipelago is welcoming international tourists from everywhere in the world.
Moreover, the Maldives government continues to take careful measures, setting up travel guidelines to keep the health and safety of locals and tourists in check.
Working closely with resorts, hotels, guesthouses, and liveaboard vessels, the government has come up with a step-by-step plan that ensures everyone arriving in the Maldives can have a stress-free and relaxing vacation without having to worry about COVID-19.
Pre-arrival COVID test
Recently updated COVID guidelines in the Maldives require that all travelers have a negative PCR test, taken a maximum of 72 hours before arrival. This time limit was earlier 72 hours, which was for a short while increased to 96 hours. However, for now, it is back to 72 hours.
Furthermore, most airlines still ask their passengers to take a PCR test 72-hours before the flight. It is thus worthwhile to check with your airline and perform the testing accordingly to avoid inconvenience.
Additionally, if staying on an inhabited island, tourists need to have taken the full dose of WHO-approved vaccination 14 days before arriving in the Maldives.
If not, they can only visit public islands where a certain percentage of locals are already vaccinated. At the time of booking a guesthouse, please inform them of your vaccination status to avoid any issues.
Moreover, you still need to have a negative RT-PCR certificate, even if you have received the vaccination.
Arrival
After initially having suspended its visa-on-arrival policy, the Maldives is once again issuing a 30-day tourist visa on arrival to all travelers coming on the islands.
Passengers still need to have a return flight ticket, confirmed hotel booking, and proof of funds for their time in the Maldives.
Precautions
As a precautionary move, all passengers arriving and departing from the Maldives must fill a self-declaration health form 24-hours before their travel. You can find the link to the Traveler Health Declaration form on the Maldives Immigration website.
Upon reaching the Maldives, it is advisable to install the TraceEkee app. The mobile application uses Bluetooth technology to monitor community interaction, helping prevent the spread of the virus.
The government of Maldives recently introduced a special COVID insurance that travelers can purchase before their arrival. The insurance covers medical expenditures as well as isolation and transport costs arising due to a COVID infection.
Accommodation
There are 152 resorts, 144 tourist vessels, 105 foreign vessels, 560 guesthouses, 10 hotels, and several transit facilities that already have the approval to open and operate in the Maldives.
However, tourists visiting the Maldives must stay at the same hotel, guesthouse, or resort for the entirety of their holiday. The government occasionally allows island-hopping as long as there are no rising cases of COVID in the area.
An exception to the above is the “split-stay” option. Resorts can ask for permission to join the “split stay” scheme, in which case their guests can travel between two retreats who have clearance under the system.
If planning on a safari cruise, you cannot leave the boat and visit the islands as yet.
Restrictions
The government still has in place certain travel restrictions within the archipelago. You cannot go island hopping extensively or partake in excursions that demand close contact between guests.
If staying on an inhabited island, you can do sightseeing while keeping in check social distancing norms.
Wearing a mask while traveling on an island is compulsory.
Important resources
- If you experience COVID symptoms, call 1676 for guidance.
- Should there be a case of COVID on your resort, there are governmental procedures in place to help unaffected guests return to their home countries.
- For COVID statistics in the Maldives, you can visit the Ministry of Health website with regularly updated information.
- Maldives’ tourism website has a separate page with the latest news on government notifications, including a list of resorts, vessels, hotels, and guesthouses that have received approval for opening.
- Please also check the Maldives Immigration website for the newest visa regulations.
We have discussed here the guidelines for traveling to and in the Maldives. Please, keep in mind all the COVID prevention rules, such as the PCR test timeline, required by your country before leaving the Maldives to head home.
We wish you a safe and memorable vacation in the Maldives!
N.B.: All information is correct as of the post-publication date; however, it is subject to change.
