The Maldives has reopened its borders for tourists originating from South Asian countries — India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, starting from today.
However, tourists arriving from South Asian countries are not permitted to stay at tourist facilities in inhabited islands until July 30, 2021.
All tourists, including those who have completed the prescribed dose(s) of Covid-19 vaccines, need to carry a negative result for a nucleic acid test (PCR test) with a sample taken within 96 hours prior to departure to the Maldives from the first port of embarkation en-route to the Maldives. Children below one-year-old are exempt from the requirement of the PCR test.
Thoyyib Mohamed, managing director, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) said:
“South Asian countries, including India, have witnessed a considerable drop in Covid positivity rates in the recent few weeks and so we are excited to restart the issuing of visa-on-arrival from July 15, 2021.
“Tourists entering the Maldives will need a negative PCR result as we continue to maintain stringent safety measures to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of residents and visitors. The Maldives is and always will remain a ‘safe haven’ for all travellers and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome our guests once again.”
In other news, Visit Maldives has launched the ‘I’m Vaccinated microsite, a platform that will give the most up-to-date information about the vaccination process within the tourism industry.
The microsite includes the number of tourist industry staff vaccination as well as information regarding registration for vaccination of employees and the latest HPA (Health Protection Agency) guidelines. Additionally, the microsite will include updates from the campaign as well as promotional videos, pictures, and stories that highlight the efforts undertaken by the tourist establishment aligned with the campaign.
