The Ministry of Tourism of Maldives has circulated a guideline draft for re-opening the Maldives with Safe Tourism. Before we continue, please keep in mind that the below guidelines are still being discussed and there may be changes within the coming weeks which we will keep updating to this post.  

The Government of Maldives stated that these guidelines are only applicable till September 2020, unless extended by the government.

 

Tentative Timeline for Reopening  

The Ministry of Tourism has proposed a phased re-opening strategy to recover the Tourism sector of the Maldives. Effective 1st June 2020, private jets and super yachts will be allowed. A month later from 1st July 2020, access to charter flights and commercial flights will follow. Guesthouses and hotels will be authorized to commence their operations from 1st August 2020.

No plan is in motion to allow cruise ships into the country yet, but this will hopefully be advised in the near dates. 

Entry to the Maldives 

The government of the Maldives has introduced new procedures to enter the Maldives with a compulsory booking in a tourist facility that has obtained a “Safe Tourism License” and a special tourist visa that can be obtained by committing to a minimum of 14 nights in the Maldives. 

Upon landing all guests are required to present a negative PCR report dated a maximum 7 days before landing or a positive antibody test taken at least two weeks before arrival to the Maldives. 

Safety Procedures at the Airport  

Disinfection procedures will be in place for body, luggage, and travel documents upon arrival, and body temperature will be monitored. All guests are required to take a compulsory PCR test. Face marks and a social distance of 1 meter is always to be kept by guests and airport staff.  

Transfer & Check-In to Resort 

All airports are required to have disinfection procedures in place with safe social distancing as mentioned earlier. When transporting the guests to resorts or liveaboards from the airport, all Speedboats and aircraft are required to keep alternative seats vacant for safety.  

On arrival at the resort, the guests will be immediately escorted to their rooms and will be provided an online check-in option. All guests are to remain in their rooms and have food in their rooms until they receive the results of their PCR test done at the airport.  

Once the results are received the guests are free to enjoy the resort but will require to maintain social distancing protocols while interacting with other guests or employees. Restaurant seating will also be set at a distance of at least two meters and all food will be on a la’ carte as buffet meals will not be allowed. 

Safe Tourism Resort Licence

The government have introduced a new License, “Safe Tourism License” which will be granted tourist facilities that comply with all government legislation and completes the following set of safety requirements.

  • 10% of registered guest rooms for isolation purposes. 
  • Resorts shall allocate facilities for quarantining staff equivalent to 10% of the staff population. 
  • Guest-service personnel shall be trained to use the PPE. 
  • Staff should be trained in disinfection and social distancing procedures. 
  • Emergency procedures and protocols to be put in place to deal with suspected cases of COVID-19 including isolation procedures. All staff must be trained on these procedures. 
  • Sufficient stock of medically certified PPE (Masks, Gloves, Face Shields, Gowns, Caps & Boots) must be maintained at the resort. 
  • The resort must have a resident doctor and a nurse who is certified by the relevant licensing bodies.

All guests with a positive PCR screening result shall remain isolated in the room and be retested 3 days after the first test. If the second test comes back positive arrangements will be made with Health Protection Agency of the Maldives and Ministry of Tourism to transfer the patient to a hospital or isolation facility for further observation and treatment.