The Maldives reopened borders for tourist visitors from 15th July 2020 offering once again the possibility of international travel to this island paradise. Resorts, guesthouses and tourist services are preparing to welcome back travelers from overseas with enhanced safety guidelines and precautionary measures.

Since the announcement we have received a number of messages asking about travel advice and clarity on the guidelines issued. Below we have tried to answer these questions and provide up to date date information regarding any Maldives travel restrictions.

Updated 23 October 2020.

WHO CAN VISIT THE MALDIVES?

• All nationalities are welcome.
• Persons who have a history of contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 within the past 14 days and/or persons who have fever or respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, shortness of breath within the past 14 days should not travel to Maldives.

IS THE MALDIVES OPEN TO TOURISTS?

• The border and Velana Male International Airport has been open from 15 July 2020.
• Domestic airports and seaplane operators have all resumed operation since 01 July, 2020.
• Cruise ships, safari boats, yachts and other passenger vessels are able to enter the Maldives from an overseas location since 03 October, 2020.

WHAT SAFETY MEASURES ARE IN PLACE AT VELANA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MALE?

• With new the safety measures in place, the arrival hall capacity at Male International Airport has been reduced from 1000 passengers to 570. The departures terminal will also be reduced from 1,200 to 750 passengers.
• Social distancing measures have been taken with clear visible social distance information and floor markings in passenger terminals. This includes ticketing and check-in counters, and the pre-flight inspection zone in Male International Airport international terminal and also the domestic terminal at the airport.
• Tall glass sheet separators have been installed between counters.
• Hygiene measures have been intensified across the airport. All seats and desks, lounge areas, ticketing and check-in counters, along with flooring and airport tarmac area are subject to regular disinfecting drills.
• All passengers must wear face masks, and undergo thermal screening at the arrival terminal, all while maintaining social distancing.
• Hand sanitization is available at entry to the arrival or departure terminal of both Male International Airport  and the Domestic airport and also before seaplane check in desks.
• Tourists should maintain physical distancing at luggage belts and should wash their hands or use hand sanitizers after handling trolleys and baggage.

HOW DO I GET A MALDIVES VISA?

• A free 30-day tourist visa will be granted for tourists upon arrival in Maldives providing all entry requirements are met.

WHAT ARE THE MALDIVES ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?

• Travelers must have a confirmed pre-booking and provide emergency contact information.
• Travellers must have a passport or travel document valid for a minimum 30 days from date of entry to the Maldives.
• A certificate showing a negative PCR test taken a maximum of 96 hours prior to your flight departing from your country of origin. This is a requirement for all passengers including children from 1 years old.
• The online health declaration form must also be completed within the 24 hour period prior to arrival in the Maldives and requires your PCR certificate to be uploaded.
• Travelers  who have a history of contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 within the past 14 days and/or who have fever or respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, shortness of breath within the past 14 days should not travel to Maldives.
• Whilst not a requirement of entry, travelers are also encouraged to download the HPA ‘Trace Ekee’ app to assist with contact tracing upon or before arrival at Male International Airport.

IS A PRE ARRIVAL COVID-19 TESTING CERTIFICATION REQUIRED IN THE MALDIVES?

• All travelers must hold a negative result for a nucleic acid test (PCR test) COVID-19 prior to entry into the Maldives. This is effective from 10th September 2020.
• The sample for the PCR test must be taken not more than 96 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure from the first port of embarkation en route to Maldives.
• Children below one year old are exempt from the requirement of a COVID-19 test.
• If the passenger makes a transit during the journey, the initial PCR test will be valid if the transit does not exceed 24 hours.
• If a passenger makes a transit exceeding 24 hours the passenger must take a repeat PCR test within 72 hours prior to embarkation at the port of transit.
• The document containing the test result should state:
  Name of the passenger (name as in passport)
  Passport number ( this is no longer a mandatory requirement)
  Name and address of the testing laboratory
  Type of test stated as PCR test
  Date of sampling
  Result
• The PCR test result should be submitted through the online Health Declaration Form IMUGA portal within 24 hours prior to embarkation. In addition, the laboratory result should be presented in paper or electronic format
  during airline check-in and maybe required upon arrival in the Maldives at immigration Male International Airport .

IF I WANT TO STAY LONGER THAN 30 DAYS IN THE MALDIVES CAN I EXTEND MY TOURIST VISA?

• Tourist visa extensions shall be made available to long stay tourists. Tourists who may require visa extensions due to quarantine measures will be issued without any further fees.
• We recommend that you refer to the Maldives Immigration website, your travel agent or the property where you have booked your stay.

ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS TO WHERE I CAN STAY IN THE MALDIVES?

• A confirmed booking in a tourist establishment registered with the Ministry of Tourism, prior to travelling to the Maldives is mandatory. Note Airbnb listings are not registered properties and caution should be taken if using these accommodation providers.
• Tourist resort islands, liveaboard vessels and hotels located on uninhabited islands are open for bookings starting from July 15, 2020.
• Guest houses and hotels located on local inhabited islands are open from October 15, 2020. Details of properties that have received approval from the government can be found here.

CAN I STAY ON MORE THAN ONE MALDIVES ISLAND OR ARE THERE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS?

• From October 23, 2020 split stays are allowed in all types of approved tourist accommodation facilities with prior approval as per the details below.
• Tourists are allowed to travel between vessels, resort islands and tourist guest houses islands if the vessel, resort or tourist guest house island is not placed under monitoring by HPA and the following conditions are fulfilled:
• The vessel or islands must not have reported cases of COVID-19.
• If COVID-19 cases exist on the islands they should be a small number of imported isolated cases or cases which have occurred within a family or a group of people staying together.
• There should be no active cases of COVID-19 among the community, workers or staff of the islands. If a case has been reported among staff or community, travel will be permitted only if no further cases are detected among staff for 28 days after the last case.
• Tourists must undergo an exit screening prior to travel from the vessel/island. This is to ensure that a symptomatic person or a person in quarantine does not exit the resort and travel.
• The exit screening should ask for any history of fever or respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, running nose or shortness of breath. It should be ensured that the guest is not under quarantine or isolation. Temperature should be checked to exclude fever. Any tourist who has fever or respiratory symptoms or who is in quarantine should not be allowed to travel and will require testing for COVID-19.
• Tourists are not allowed to travel from a tourist guest house island to a non-tourist guest house island.
• For all split stays a form has to be submitted to the Tourism Ministry by the vessel or property within 48 hours of scheduled travel date.
• Guest houses and hotels located in the Greater Male area are currently until further notice ONLY allowed to accommodate transiting passengers waiting for domestic transfers under special permits. Transit arrangements can be made through the primary facility where your stay is booked. Guests in transit are unable to leave these properties between check in and check out.

IS THERE A MINIMUM STAY REQUIREMENT IN THE MALDIVES?

• No there is no minimum length of stay.

ARE ALL MALDIVES RESORTS/GUESTHOUSES OPEN?

• Not all properties will open in line with the opening/operational dates and you are advised to directly check operational status with the preferred tourist establishment on their websites and social media pages or through a travel operator/agent such as Secret Paradise Maldives

WILL THERE BE COVID-19 TESTING COMPLETED UPON ARRIVAL IN THE MALDIVES?

• Travelers will not be subject to any further testing or quarantine measures upon arrival to the Maldives unless symptoms are detected or a invalid negative PCR certificate produced.
• Travelers presenting symptoms of COVID-19, including, but not limited to, cough, runny nose or shortness of breath upon arrival, will be subjected to a PCR test at the traveler’s cost.
• Local health authorities may conduct random testing, at no cost to travelers at Male International Airport .
• The online health declaration form must be completed within the 24 hour period prior to arrival in the Maldives and requires your PCR certificate to be uploaded.
• Travelers who have a history of contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 within the past 14 days and/or persons who have fever or respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, shortness of breath within the past 14 days should not travel to Maldives.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I ARRIVE IN THE MALDIVES AND TEST POSITIVE?

• If one member of a group traveling together displays symptoms, all members of the group shall be tested.
• Tourists or the tourist facility, where the tourist is booked to stay in the Maldives, shall bear the cost of the PCR test conducted on symptomatic tourists.
• In the case of a positive PCR result, the tourist facility, where the tourist is booked to stay in the Maldives, shall be given the option of transferring the tourist to their booked accommodation to isolate in their designated room or to isolate in a government run facility.
• These options will also be subject to the individual’s medical condition.
• Tourist facilities shall bear responsibility for ensuring that the costs related to the transfer and accommodation of individuals who require treatment at a government managed facility are met.
• Vessels, guest houses and hotels on inhabited islands may not accept tourists who have tested positive for COVID-19 on arrival.
• The tourist facility, where the tourist is booked to stay in the Maldives will be responsible for ensuring that associated costs are met.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DISPLAY COVID-19 SYMPTOMS DURING MY STAY IN THE MALDIVES?

• Any COVID-19 symptoms from travellers should be immediately reported to the medical staff on the island.
• Anyone displaying COVID-19 symptoms shall be isolated with immediate effect until further guidance from HPA and Ministry of Tourism is received.
• Isolation rooms shall be maintained and serviced as per standards set forth by HPA.
• Tourists presenting symptoms shall be subject to a PCR test for COVID-19. Tourists will be allowed to exit isolation with restrictions on utilising the common facilities of the resort if the test result is negative until all symptoms clear up.
• Testing will be carried out as per HPA guidelines.
• Any tourist with a positive PCR test result shall remain isolated in the room. The property shall be given the option of hosting the tourist if requirements for adequate medical facilities and personnel as stated in Section E1 are complied with. The condition of the individual shall be reported regularly to HPA and the Ministry of Tourism. HPA will decide on the transfer of the individual for further observation and treatment should the need arise.

WHAT WILL BE THE TRANSFER PROCEDURE BE IN THE MALDIVES?

• All transfers have to be made direct to and from Male International Airport.
• Airport transfers will only be allowed through pick-ups by pre-booked tourist facilities.
• No public transport may be taken ie public ferry.
• The wearing of masks and use of hand sanitizer shall be made compulsory before boarding transfer vessel or aircraft.

DO MALDIVES PROPERTIES HAVE TO FOLLOW SPECIFIC GUIDELINES?

• All resorts, hotels, guesthouses and liveaboards will be required to comply with all relevant Maldives legislation and a specific set of standards when reopening. Full details can be found here.
• It is also expected that many properties will have their own enhanced measures and these will be available to view on their individual websites.
• All tourist facilities must have access to medical services, well-managed stock of PPE and a COVID-19 safety manager.
• All tourist establishments are required to submit a Health & Safety plan to the Ministry of Tourism.
• Secret Paradise will be auditing all their partner local island properties. Full details here.

WHAT IS THE DEPARTURE PROCEDURE FROM THE MALDIVES?

• No restrictions will apply on checkout for guests staying on a resort or liveaboard providing no symptoms are displayed or no positive PCR result has been recorded should symptoms have been displayed during duration of stay.
• Prior to departure from Maldives, PCR testing is mandatory for any tourist who stayed on a tourist guest house island. If a specific time frame for PCR testing is stated in the immigration requirements of the destination country, this time frame must be followed. Otherwise the PCR test must be done within 72 hours prior to departure from Maldives. The tourist guest house will facilitate the PCR testing for the tourist. The tourist must bear all costs associated with PCR testing.
• All tourists will have to undergo an exit screening prior to departure from their destination, the exit screening questionnaire should document any history of symptoms within the prior 14 days.
• The online health declaration form must be completed within the 24 hour period prior to departure from the Maldives.

WHAT IF MY HOME COUNTRY REQUIRES A TEST PRIOR TO ENTRY?

• Testing services will be available in The Maldives for Travelers who require COVID-19 test results to return to their countries of origin or another destination.
• You should advise the guesthouse/hotel/resort/ resort doctor of test requirement. In most cases the sample will be taken at the property and sent to Male or nearest testing facility.
• Results generally issued within 24 hours.
• Tourists who require a negative PCR test result for their outbound flight will not be taken to the Male International Airport for departure without a negative test result at hand.
• We would advise you check with your agent or direct with the resort for full information and costs specific to the property.

IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO MALDIVES 2020?

• Safety in the Maldives is of paramount importance to the Maldives government, travel advisories and local authorities.
• The Maldives does have a geographic advantage as an archipelago. Individual islands provide a natural safe environment for visitors. These individual resorts or local community islands can also be quickly shut down if a suspected case emerges, which was seen at the beginning of the pandemic in the Maldives.
• A wide range of control measures have been put in place when entering and leaving the Maldives as well as at all tourist properties to ensure tourists, staff and local communities remain safe and risk is minimized.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT COVID-19 STATUS IN THE MALDIVES?

• Being an island nation and thanks to the proactive measures taken by the Health Protection Authority, Tourism Ministry and Maldives Government the spread of the virus has been managed and contained.
• As of October 23, 2020 the Maldives presently records a total of 11,358 confirmed cases, out of which 931 are active cases of COVID-19. This includes 22 tourists and 30 staff. The country records 10,383 recoveries (91%)  and 37 fatalities. Currently, 99% of cases are restricted to the Greater Male area (Male, Hulhumale, Villimale).

WILL DIVING, SNORKELING & EXCURSIONS BE AVAILABLE?

• Snorkeling, diving, watersports and excursions will be available with additional safety measures as laid out by the HPA Guidelines.
• Not all dive centres are operational at resort properties and we advise you to check with the resort or guesthouse or with Secret Paradise to ensure that dive centres are operational at the island you are planning to visit.
• Prior booking must be done to use the service of dive centres. For full details regarding diving please refer to the dive centre website or PADI/SSI/DAN guidelines.
• Symptomatic tourists will not be allowed to use these services.
• During excursions the number of persons on the trip will be minimized to allow for adequate physical distancing.
• Physical distancing should be maintained while on board including seating arrangements inside boats.
• Face masks must be worn in enclosed spaces.
• Avoid taking any unnecessary belongings on board the boat that are not required.
• Avoid sharing equipment and food items during trips.
• Tourists are recommended to have their own personal mask and snorkel and to rent fins only.
• Tourists and crew should use soap and water / hand sanitizer before boarding boats and sanitizing facilities should be available on board for tourists to use throughout the excursion.
• Whilst there is not a specific guideline in regard to resort day visit’s and we await further information at this stage, it is unlikely that resorts will currently offer this excursion option.
• Currently, there will not be access to bar boats for tourists staying on local islands.
• Day tours to other islands be they resort day visits or local island visits will not be available until further notice.

Note Secret Paradise will be unable to offer day tours or Male City Tours until the guidelines allow tourists to stay within the Greater Male area and the Maldives travel ban prohibiting those in Greater Male travelling outside of the capital except for essential travel is lifted.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO CONSIDER BEFORE I TRAVEL TO THE MALDIVES?

• Travelers are required to wear masks throughout the airport, within lounge areas and during transfers.
• Travelers to local island guesthouses are required to wear masks on the island.
• Maintain social distancing of at least one meter with staff and other passengers and frequently wash or sanitize their hands.
• Avoid non essential travel to the Greater Male area.
• We recommend you take out travel insurance.
• Dates, guidelines and requirements remain subject to review and change subject to the pandemic situation in Maldives and other factors.

We recommend that you also refer to the websites of the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives for the most up to date information. We also advise to check your own home Foreign Office Travel Advice or seek consular assistance as part of your travel planning.

At Secret Paradise we have reviewed all our operational practices to ensure our guest’s comfort and safety. But without losing the memorable aspects of our experiences and service .

Want to find out how you can experience the Maldives in a safe and secure way? Take a visit to our website and select from tours, cruises and accommodation. Contact the Secret Paradise team to start your Maldives trip plan today!

For travel advice and information specific to local island guesthouses travel plans you can find details here.

The team at Secret Paradise have you covered.