The naturally self-isolated paradise of the Maldives is home to various islands that dazzle with sugar-white sand and swaying palm-fringed coral lagoons that are fascinating and unique thanks to the One Island, One Resort concept.
The Maldives has some of the finest resorts in the world, each located individually on one of several hundreds of coral islands and naturally distanced from cities and crowds. The islands are beautiful, natural, exotic and offer a sense of serenity and adventure.
The sandy shores are surrounded by crystal-clear waters, perfect for activities such as surfing, snorkelling, diving and swimming with the mantas and whale sharks.
Can British travellers go to the Maldives?
All those visiting the Maldives, except those under the age of one, must present a negative PCR test on arrival, taken no more than 96 hours before the scheduled time of departure from their first port of embarkation to the Maldives.
Visitors must also fill out a pre-departure form within 24 hours of departing to, and returning from the Maldives, which can be found here.
Thermal screening will also be carried out on arrival, and if tourists are symptomatic, they will need to undergo a PCR test.
In September 2020, the Maldives was granted the Safe Travels Stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council, while Velana International Airport received Airport Health Accreditation by the Airports Council International.
As of January 9, fully vaccinated travellers returning to the UK must take a Covid-19 test, which can be a lateral flow test, on or before day two, and fill out a passenger locator form.
Travellers returning to the UK who aren’t fully vaccinated must fill out a passenger locator form and take a Covid-19 test before arriving, as well as PCR tests on day two and day eight, and quarantine for 10 days.
How is the Maldives planning to reopen to tourism?
Resorts, liveaboard boats and hotels located on uninhabited islands first reopened in July 2020, while local tourism providers and guesthouses could reopen in October 2020, provided they could meet certain health standards.
Before your travel to the Maldives:
- Travellers who have a history of contact with a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19 within the past 14 days and anyone who has fever or respiratory symptoms such as a cough, sore throat or shortness of breath within the past 14 days are advised not to travel to the Maldives.
- You must have a confirmed booking in a tourist establishment registered with the Ministry of Tourism, prior to travelling.
During your flight:
- If a passenger has fever, cough or shortness of breath on board the flight, the Health Protection Agency should be informed.
- All passengers travelling to and from Maldives are required to submit a traveller health declaration form within 24 hours prior to their travel.
On arrival at the airport:
- All passengers should wear masks and will undergo thermal screening at entry.
- Tourists travelling to the Maldives will be provided a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival.
- Travellers will need to present a negative PCR test, taken no more than 96 hours from the time of departure to the Maldives.
- Tourists with symptoms of Covid-19 will have to take a PCR test at their own cost.
- Any tourist showing symptoms will have to follow restrictions on attending public places.
- Hand sanitisation should be carried out at entry to the arrival terminal.
- Contact tracing should be done for any travellers with symptoms to identify passengers who were close contacts during the journey. Contacts who are tourists can be quarantined in their destination resorts until the PCR test result of the patient is known.
- Installing the contact tracing app ‘TraceEkee’ is encouraged for all tourists.
- Local health authorities may conduct random testing at no cost to travellers.
Our number-one priority has always been to ensure our guests and staff are safe, and this is now more important than ever in these challenging times.
Departing from your accommodation:
- Tourists will have to undergo an exit screening prior to departure from their place of stay.
- Routine testing 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.
- Testing services are available in the Maldives for tourists who require Covid-19 test results to return to their country of origin or another destination.
PICTURES: Ishan @seefromthesky
Last updated January 7, 2022