Maldive's Ministry of Tourism just announced that it's mandatory for all visitors to present a negative COVID-19 test on arrival at Velana International Airport.
The test must be conducted within a maximum duration of 72 hours prior to departure for Maldives.
The certificates have to be submitted via the immigration portal &lsquoImuga&rsquo. An official has been stationed at Velana International Airport to ensure that all arriving travellers present the negative PCR test.
All other rules pertaining to coronavirus will remain functional as before. Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom has stated that although borders have been reopened with a set of lenient guidelines, steps are being taken to strengthen safety measures.
It's been less than two months since the Maldives reopened borders to travellers.
Maldives has witnessed a surge in COVID cases of late, but the country is still considered to be a safe place for tourists due to its unique geography, and the concept of one-island-one-resort.
Resorts in Maldives have been allowed to set up their own rules though there are some rules that have to be followed by all. One such is the placement of trained medical professional who can collect COVID-19 samples from guests for testing in order to create COVID-free bubbles.
Reports indicate that the previous ban on travellers splitting their holidays between two resorts has now been lifted, though entry requirements have become tighter.
Guesthouses in all islands that are outside of the capital area will reopen from October 15 onwards in a move by the ministry to promote tourism and increase arrivals. The previous rule required visitors to submit a health declaration form within 24 hours prior to travelling to Maldives.
Only 11,629 people had travelled to the nation between July 15 and September 8 leaving the heavily tourism-reliant economy in a fragile state. The World Bank had projected in April that Maldives will be the worst hit country in terms of economy in South Asia due to the pandemic.
The Maldives government is expecting more than 100,000 tourist arrivals before the end of 2020.
