FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION POST COVID-19

WHO CAN VISIT?

All nationalities are welcome.

WHEN WILL THE AIRPORT RE-OPEN?

• The border and Velana International Airport will be open from 15th July 2020.

• Domestic airports resumed operation 01 July, 2020, with the national carrier Maldivian resuming domestic flight

WHICH AIRLINES WILL BE FLYING TO THE MALDIVES?

• At the time of writing it has been confirmed that flights from Sri Lankan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Emirates Airlines, Hong Kong, IndiGo, Singapore Airlines, Silk Air and Turkish Airlines will operate a service to the Maldives.

• We recommend you refer to the individual airline website or Skyscanner for details and prices.

WHAT SAFETY MEASURES ARE IN PLACE AT VELANA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?

• With new the safety measures in place, the arrival hall capacity 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 the international terminal and 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.

HOW DO I GET A VISA?

• A 30-day tourist visa will be granted for tourists upon arrival in Maldives.

• Travelers must have a confirmed pre-booking and provide emergency contact information.

• An online health declaration form must also be completed within the 24 hour period prior to arrival. (This is not yet live)

• 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.

IF I WANT TO STAY LONGER THAN 30 DAYS 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?

• A confirmed booking in a tourist establishment registered with the Ministry of Tourism, prior to travelling to the Maldives is mandatory.

• Tourist resorts, 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 will be open for bookings starting from August 1, 2020.

• Travelers who are visiting the Maldives during Phase 1 ( July and August) of opening must book their entire stay in one registered tourist property or boat. Stays at multiple islands, resorts and hotels are not permitted during this period.

• A small number of 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 your stay is booked.

IS THERE A MINIMUM STAY REQUIREMENT?

• No there is no minimum length of stay.

ARE ALL RESORTS/GUESTHOUSES OPEN FROM 01 AUGUST 2020?

• Not all properties will open in line with the opening border date 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 Island Life Travel

IS A PRE ARRIVAL COVID-19 TESTING CERTIFICATION REQUIRED?

• Travelers will not be required to submit any medical test results for entry to the Maldives.

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

• Travelers will not be subject to any testing or quarantine measures upon arrival to the Maldives unless symptoms are detected.

• 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.

• A health declaration card will be required as part of the on-arrival procedure. This will be issued at Immigration.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I ARRIVE 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?

• 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?

• 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 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 establishments are required to submit a Health & Safety plan to the Ministry of Tourism.

WHAT IS THE DEPARTURE PROCEDURE?

• No restrictions will apply on guest checkouts providing no symptoms are displayed or no positive PCR result has been recorded should symptoms have been displayed during duration of stay.

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.

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 18:00 28th June, 2020 the Maldives presently records a total of 2,324 confirmed cases, out of which 400 are active cases of COVID-19. The country records 1,911 recoveries (82%) and eight fatalities. Currently, cases are restricted to the Greater Male area (Male, Hulhumale, Villimale).

WILL DIVING, SNORKELING & DAY TOURS BE AVAILABLE?

• We believe so, however additional safety measures for diving and water sports shall be governed by detailed regulations approved by HPA which are still to follow.

• Day tours to other islands be they resort day visits or local island visits will not be available until further notice.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO CONSIDER?

• Travelers are required to wear masks throughout the airport and during transfers.

• Maintain social distancing of at least one meter with staff and other passengers and frequently wash or sanitize their hands.

• 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.

source: secretparadisemaldives