Update 6/23: We didn’t know the exact date in July that the Maldives would open, but today it was announced that it will open on July 15th. While the government has not introduced any testing requirements some resorts do have testing procedures in place.
Original post: 6/10: At the end of May we posted about Maldives reopening for tourism starting July 1st, 2020 but with the following restrictions:
- Travelers will need to
- Apply for a tourist visa in advance ($100 cost, previously not required for many countries)
- Have a minimum of 14 nights booked
- Have sufficient travel insurance for the duration of the stay
- Must submit either a negative COVID-19 antigen test (virus is not currently in the body) or a positive antibody test (you’ve had the virus but have acquired immunity)
- Must submit another antigen test when landing at Malé airport (and must be isolated until this comes back. This will take between three and 12 hours)
- All resorts will be required to
- hold a stock of PPE equipment and have a certified medic on staff
Maldives officials are now stating that all tourists will be welcome sometime in July and none of the above measures will be in place (there will be no Visa requirement, no testing and no quarantine).
See you in July#VisitMaldives pic.twitter.com/NriaGL8ysq
— Ministry of Tourism (@MoTmv) June 10, 2020
It seems that Maldives is going from one extreme to another (although I’m not even sure how ‘extreme’ the first plan was given what some other countries will require). Personally I think the Maldives could have just gotten rid of the 14 night stay requirement and most people would have been OK with the restrictions (although getting travel insurance that covers COVID-19 might be impossible). I personally wouldn’t recommend booking a trip just yet as the opening plan has already changed once and there is still no official opening date.
Hat tip to TPG
