But visiting the Maldives' sugary shores isn't going to be as simple as just booking a package holiday following the suggestion that stringent new health and safety measures will be implemented. Before being allowed to enter the Maldives, travellers may have to apply in advance for a tourist visa (previously not required for British citizens) at a cost of US$100/£81.

Visas will only be granted to those who have a confirmed booking for a minimum of 14 nights and sufficient travel insurance for the duration of their stay. According to Kuoni, a two week package for this December could cost from £3,011 to £9,888 per person – and good luck finding a travel insurance policy which includes coronavirus cover.

Next, holidaymakers will be expected to submit either a negative COVID-19 antigen test (meaning the virus is not currently present in the body) or a positive antibody test (showing you have had the virus and acquired immunity) conducted up to a week before arrival.

The types of private testing which are currently available in the UK can cost anywhere between £199 and £400. Travellers will then be expected to splash out another US$100/£81 for a PCR antigen test on when the land at Malé airport.

Plus, there's also the cost of losing the first day of your holiday, as once guests arrive at their accommodation they must be confined to quarters until their test results come back, a process which can take anywhere between three to twelve hours.