Here are the details:
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES C I R C U L A R
Ref Number: 88-PS/CIR/2021/31
Date: 16th April 2021
To: All Tourist Facilities
Subject: Ease of Travel Restriction
Dear Sir/Madam, Reference is made to the Announcement Number 2021/30 published on the Government of Maldives Gazette on 16th April 2021, by Health Protection Agency (HPA). With the authority vested with Director General of Public Health under the clause number 34 and 12 of the Public Health Act 7/2012, it has been decided to ease certain travel restrictions, effective 20th April 2021 until further notice; given the below conditions are met.
1. Travel quarantine will be exempted for ALL individuals, if travelling to an island where 60% of the island population (including tourist resort/guesthouse and hotel islands) have completed the two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO).
2. If 60% of the island population (including tourist resort/guesthouse and hotel islands) have NOT completed two doses of Covid-19 vaccine, travel quarantine exemption can be exercised if the individual travelling has completed the two doses of any Covid-19 vaccine recognized by the WHO, two weeks prior to said travel. However, the following conditions will apply: 2.1 A negative PCR test will be required if the individual is travelling from an island with a sample positivity rate of more than 5%. 2.2 A negative PCR test will be required for accompanying children who are not eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine.
3. Travelers to Maldives (including tourists) who have completed their two doses of Covid-19 vaccination (recognized by WHO) 2 weeks prior to travel are now exempted from the prearrival Negative PCR requirement and do not require to undergo or observe the travel quarantine on arrival to the Maldives.
However, travelers (work permit holders) arriving to the Maldives to work in any of the following areas are required to present a PCR test for which the sample was taken within a maximum of 96 hours prior to their travel to the Maldives. If this requirement is not fulfilled, the individual will be required to take a PCR test upon arrival.
1) Individuals working in any form of Healthcare Facility
2) Individuals working in any form of Daycare Centers
3) Individuals working in any Educational Institution
4) Individuals working in any Residential care facilities
Additionally, please note that HPA will be regularly publishing a list of the islands who have completed two doses of vaccination for 60% of the population, as well as the islands with a sample positivity rate of more than 5%.
We take this opportunity to thank you for the support and cooperation you have extended to us at all times and anticipate your full support and request all tourist facilities to maintain adherence to the procedures and guidelines announced by the Ministry and Health Protection Agency.
Yours sincerely, Ali Razzan Senior Executive Director
Ministry of Tourism, Velaanaage, Fifth Floor, Ameer Ahmed Magu, Tel: +(960)302 2200, Fax: +(960)332 2512 E-mail:
[email protected], website: www. tourism.gov.mv