COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Maldives (20 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes

• Maldives has lifted the ban on tourists travelling from South Asian countries. However, tourists may be accommodated in guesthouses at local islands only after 30 July 2021.

• Travellers arriving for a short-term work-based visit (less than 7 days) must have special permission from the Health Protection Agency. The sponsor must request permission by email to [email protected] on the traveller’s behalf.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes

• Transit through the Maldives is allowed.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Maldivian citizens, work visa holders and other visa holders travelling from South Asian countries are allowed to travel to the Maldives but they must undergo a PCR test within 48 to 72 hours of arrival to the Maldives, as well as at the end of the quarantine period.

• Temperature checks and screening procedures are in place on arrival. Travellers presenting symptoms of COVID-19 upon arrival will have a PCR test performed at the traveller’s expense or at the cost of the tourist facility where the traveller is booked. Local health authorities may conduct random testing at no cost to travellers.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• All travellers (including citizens) arriving in the Maldives must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued at most 96 hours prior to their departure from the first port of embarkation. However, those arriving from South Asian countries must also undergo a PCR test between 48 to 72 hours of their arrival to Maldives.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• Work Visa holders and other visa holders originating from South Asian countries are allowed to travel to the Maldives but they are obliged to comply with the following requirements:

• Must obtain the approval for quarantine from the Health Protection Agency, via [email protected], 24 hours prior to departure from the first port of embarkation.

• Travellers must enter a 14-day quarantine, completed in a designated facility provided by the Health Protection Agency.

• Quarantine accommodations arranged by private companies, resorts and government authorities for their employees must be in accordance with the guidelines of the Health Protection Agency.

• The quarantine period may be reduced to 7 days for those who have completed their vaccination dosage (WHO approved vaccines) and at least 14 days have passed after the recommended doses.

• Maldivians are required to undergo mandatory home quarantine for 14 days in their place of residency after arrival and must obtain a negative PCR test result before they are released from home quarantine.Travelers who are contacts of COVID-19 cases will be subject to quarantine as per the Health Protection Agency protocols.

• Based on the above restrictions, travellers must be prepared to spend seven to 14 days in quarantine depending on their origin of travel and other entry conditions.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• All travellers to the Maldives must complete a Traveller Health Declaration form within 24 hours before departure to the Maldives. Travellers are also required to complete the Traveller Health Declaration.

• Travellers arriving for a short-term work-based visit (less than 7 days) need to obtain special permission from the Health Protection Agency. The sponsor must request permission by email to [email protected] on the traveller’s behalf.

• Travellers are required to register at Haalubelun within 12 to 24 hours after arrival in the Maldives.

Vaccination required?

• No

• A COVID-19 vaccination is not required to enter the country.

Is COVID-19 insurance required

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• All travellers are encouraged to install an application named TraceEkee before arrival to facilitate contact tracing.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• International commercial flights are operating.

• Domestic flights to COVID-19-free islands are operating.

• Tourists who arrived from India and/or returning to India after their stay in the Maldives, must obtain a departure PCR test taken at most 72 (seventy-two) hours before departure from the Maldives.

Border restrictions

• Minimal

• Borders are open for international tourists.

• All cruise ships are currently banned from entering and docking in the Maldives. The entry of all safari boats, yachts, and other passenger vessels arriving in the Maldives from an overseas location is restricted indefinitely.

• If a traveller has stayed at a tourist guest house at any point during the stay in the Maldives, they must have a PCR test 72 hours prior to scheduled departure from the Maldives.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• The State of Public Health Emergency has been extended until 2 August 2021. The state of emergency grants the director-general of public health special powers to quarantine and isolate individuals.

• The authorities have lifted the night curfew measures in Greater Male.

Social Distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• Social distancing measures are in place. A distance of three feet must be maintained with others.

• Public and mass gatherings are prohibited, including parties and rallies.

• Public gatherings of more than 15 people remain banned.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• When travelling from Greater Male’ (but not including the airport) to other islands, a negative PCR test must be obtained.

• Tourists can travel between islands and resorts that do not have COVID-19 cases and are not subject to monitoring for COVID-19 but need prior approval for inter-island travel.

• Movement between resorts and islands is not yet permitted without quarantine restrictions.

• The authorities have eased the internal travel restrictions. Travellers fully vaccinated for COVID-19 can travel from one island to another without a COVID-19 PCR test certificate and will be exempted from quarantine measures.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Shops are allowed to open.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels and rental accommodations are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Cafes are allowed to open.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• Beaches are open to tourists.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums are open.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Use of a face mask is mandatory in public places, airports, and public transport.

Other

• All excursion activities such as day trips to picnic islands, fishing, and dolphin watching from all islands, resorts, safaris, and guesthouses are banned across the country until further notice.

• Parks and playgrounds are open with social distancing and hygiene measures.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.