Maldives re-opening for international tourists on 15th July 2020

As time passes by, we are all eyes on the news about countries re-opening their borders for travel. The Maldives has shared its plan reopen for July 2020 but with the small number of flights to arrive to the capital, regular travel might take longer before picking up again. Unless you have your own superyacht or private jet to head yourself to the Indian Ocean destination, other regular travellers will have to wait a bit longer!

Maldives will re-open its borders for international tourists on 15th July 2020 with resorts, liveaboards and hotels located at uninhabited islands will be open from 15th of July as well. Guest Houses and hotels located at inhabited islands will be open from 1st August 2020.

According to the guidelines provided by the Tourism Board of Maldives, tourists are not required to pay an additional fee, produce a certificate or test result indicative of negative status for COVID-19 prior to entry into Maldives. For tourists without symptoms, there is no requirement for quarantine either. The guideline will be periodically reviewed based on further developments.

Before your travel to Maldives

• Travellers who have a history of contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID- 19 within the past 14 days and persons who have fever or respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, shortness of breath within the past 14 days are advised not to travel to Maldives.
• Regular official updates on travel to the Maldives re provided on the websites of the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives.
• A confirmed booking in a tourist establishment registered with the Ministry of Tourism, prior to travelling is mandatory.
• Guest houses and hotels located on inhabited islands will be allowed to accommodate transiting passengers waiting for domestic transfers under special permits. Transit arrangements can be made through the primary facility where the stay is booked.
• Tourists are advised to directly check offers and operational status with the preferred tourist establishments on their websites and mobile applications.
• Tourists who are visiting Maldives during phase 1 of opening shall book their entire stay in one registered establishment. Stays at multiple resorts and hotels are not permitted during this period. However, exemptions will be made for transit arrangements.

During your flight

• All passengers should submit a health declaration card upon arrival, completed onboard the aircraft.
• As per border health and aviation procedure, if a passenger has fever, cough or shortness of breath on board the flight it should be informed to the Health Protection Agency.

Arrival at the airport of Male, Maldives

• Tourists travelling to Maldives will be provided a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival.
• A health declaration card will be required as part of the on-arrival procedure.
• All arriving passengers should wear masks
• Physical distancing should be ensured.
• Hand sanitization at entry to the arrival terminal.
• All arriving passengers must undergo thermal screening at entry.
• Tourists will not be subject to any quarantine measures upon arrival to the Maldives.
• Tourists will not be required to submit any medical test results for entry to the Maldives. However, travellers presenting with symptoms of Covid-19 upon arrival will be subject to a PCR test at the traveller’s cost. The tourist will be sent to a designated facility for isolation. Isolation will be done at a designated transit facility or at the tourists’ destination resort (depending on the resort policy). If the result of the PCR test is positive, the tourist may continue isolation at the resort or will be transferred to a designated state-run isolation facility. If the result of the PCR test is negative, the tourist will be released from isolation. In the case of negative PCR test in a tourist who is isolated temporarily at a transit facility, he/she will be released from isolation and may travel to the destination resort. Although released from isolation, a symptomatic tourist will have to follow restrictions on attending public places such as restaurants until the symptoms resolve.
• Contact tracing should be done for the symptomatic patient to identify passengers who were close contacts during the flight and during the journey. Contacts who are tourists can be quarantined in their destination resorts until the PCR test result of the patient is known. Contacts will be released from quarantine if the patients’ PCR test is negative.
• On arrival, if any tourist gives history of contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 within 14 days prior to arrival (as per passenger health declaration card), the tourist must be examined by the doctor at the airport clinic. If the person is asymptomatic, he/she will require to be quarantined. If the person is symptomatic, a sample should be taken for PCR for COVID-19 and the patient should be sent to a designated facility for isolation.
• Installing the contact tracing app “TraceEkee” is encouraged for all tourists.
• Additionally, local health authorities may conduct random testing at no cost to travellers.
• Mandatory restrictions on travel within Maldives for tourists during the COVID-19 pandemic: restrictions on inter island travel. The Ministry of Tourism should continuously update and inform the tourist establishments regarding the travel restrictions imposed by HPA.
• Requirement for tourists to inform the resort if he/she tests positive for COVID-19 upon return from Maldives: All tourists should inform the resort if they test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of departure from the resort.

At departure from your place of stay

• Tourists will have to undergo an exit screening prior to departure from the place of stay.
• The exit screening questionnaire should document any history of fever or respiratory symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath within the prior 14 days. It should be ensured that the guest is not under quarantine or isolation. Temperature should be checked to exclude fever.
• Routine testing for COVID-19 is not required prior to departure, however during exit screening if any tourist is found to have fever or symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 within the prior 14 days, they should undergo PCR testing for COVID-19.
• Testing services are available in the Maldives for tourists who require Covid-19 test results to return to their countries of origin or another destination.

Maldives is an island nation made up of 1,190 coral islands strewn across the equator. It is a world-class holiday destination well-known for its unique one-island-one-resort concept. Only tourists and staff are accommodated on these resorts, far away from the hustle and bustle of other islands. Along with the pristine natural beauty surrounding the resorts, privacy and seclusion are the epitome of what makes it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world.

Meanwhile, you can stay inspired by consulting a handful of destinations we have been in the Maldives so you can start planning and looking at potential properties that might be interesting for you to join!

OZEN By Atmosphere At Maadhoo Island: An All-Inclusive Resort In Maldives Like No Other

Ozen is a true all-inclusive island with no hidden surprises or hidden extras because all included in one price. The property is easy to access the island by a 45 minute speedboat transfer. The resort is made for couples but families are also welcomed. Our favourite part: guests can enjoy complimentary twice-daily snorkel excursions to nearby reefs.

Velassaru Maldives

At Velassaru you can experience great culinary experiences. Transfers from the capital island of Malé is only 25 minutes by boat. There are plenty of activities to choose from at the GLIDE watersports centre, the highlight being the Seabob Cayago water rocket and parasailing to look down over Maldives beautiful sight from the sky!

Dusit Thani Maldives: Modern Villas On Untouched Reefs

At Dusit Thani, you are home to one of the largest infinity pools in the Maldives and you can get one of the best on-site reef for snorkeling and diving. Most rooms come with private pools and butler service. There are three restaurants, two oceanfront bars, and excellent Thai cuisine if that is your favourite! Of course, expect free snorkeling gear, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. If you are a fan of yoga, there are free yoga classes offered multiple times per day.

Check-In: Kuramathi Island Maldives

Kurumathi’s best feature is its mile-long private island on which guests can go for a long stroll unique natural sand bar with nothing else than water on the left, sand in the middle and water on the right! The resort also offers two all-inclusive plans. There are two outdoor pools including an infinity pool next to the shore and a hydroponic garden, 300-year-old banyan tree, and a sperm whale museum! At Kurumathi, you have the two options to arrive by seaplane or boat

Dhigali Maldives: A Maldivian Paradise To Discover

Dhigali is a leafy and very laid-back island. It is modern and a refreshing design which sets a different vibe if you have been to the Maldives many time and looking for a less traditionnal atmosphere. The resort suits both honeymooners and families, but the culinary experience was what made the expeience even more incredible. Come and also enjoy some night snorkelling and many more activitiies.

Check-In The First Resort In The Maldives: Kurumba

Kurumba is a popular, long-standing island resort and conveniently the closest resort island from Mahé. It was the first ever resort-island of the Maldives with now over 50 years of operation! It has eight restaurants and all-inclusive packages with alcohol available.

Interested to experience the Maldives?
You can contact us for exclusive rates and perks when booking your perfect Maldivian holiday through us!
Contact us now at hello@adventurefaktory.com to book your dream holiday.