Coronavirus in Maldives

Cases of Coronavirus in Maldives have been confirmed and the Maldivian authorities have introduced new measures. These include restrictions on travelling between islands.

The government has built a coronavirus quarantine resort. The luxury hotel was built in just 10 days by around 50 workers on an island called Villivaru in the Kaafu Atoll. This is where tourists who have been tested as positive are transferred to for the remainder of their holiday.

The resorts of Kuredu, Vilemendhu, Batalaa and Kuramathi were the first to be placed under quarantine with the UK Foreign Office advising against all but essential travel to these resorts.

Initially the Government of Maldives announced a ban on entry in to the Maldives of anyone who has left or transited through the UK in the last 14 days. The same rules also applied for Maldivian nationals returning back home from the UK. Passengers arriving from countries with a high incidence of coronavirus may be subject to additional health screening and a quarantine requirement if they are demonstrating any symptoms.

All cruise ships were also banned from entering and docking in the Maldives, as were all safari boats, yachts and other passenger vessels

The UK Foreign Office has since advised against all travel to the Maldives. In fact in the UK as of writing we are on a full lockdown, with no flights leaving the UK.

Let us hope this situation doesn’t last for too long and we are soon able to start holidaying again, in the meantime stay safe.

UPDATE:

From 10th September, for the safety of all, Health Protection Agency of Maldives has made it mandatory for all inbound travellers to present a Negative PCR certificate on arrival. It was confirmed by the Ministry of Tourism that all tourists and short term visitors to the country have to present this upon arrival. Please ensure guests are fully aware in advance so that they have adequate time to complete a test prior to travelling to the Maldives.

In addition, all resort facilities and tourist establishments have been regulated to ensure they are in line with the Covid-19 tourism guidelines; a Covid-19 safe tourism guideline has been issued by the Ministry of Tourism along with a certification program to uphold proper safety and hygiene standards.