Maldives: COVID negative report essential if you want to holiday

If you have been planning a trip to the Maldives, here's an important update. You will now need to provide COVID-19 negative test results, which kickstarted from September 10.

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This move comes in less than two months after the country reopened its borders to tourists. Although there was no requirement as such initially, COVID-19 test and quarantine rules have been made mandatory now.

As per the latest update from the Ministry of Tourism, all tourists visiting the tropical archipelago will now have to show a negative PCR test on arrival at the Male International Airport. The update also states that the test must not have been taken less that 72 hours before travelling. Apart from this, all other COVID related rules will remain in place.

The Maldives reopened its borders on July 15 after a hiatus of 110 days to contain the spread of Coronavirus. Earlier, travellers were able to enter the country as long as they were able to submit a health declaration form at least 24 hours before they arrived.

Strict measures are being introduced as the country witnessed a surge in Coronavirus cases.

Further, most resorts in the Maldives have their own island, thereby allowing authorities to let the individual resorts devise their own rules. As per the rules, all resorts need to have a trained medical professional in place, who is capable of collecting COVID-19 samples for testing; some islands also opted to test guests for COVID-19 in an effort to create Coronavirus-free bubbles. As of now, it is not yet unclear if these resorts will continue to test arriving guests now, given that virus-free certificates have been made mandatory for all travellers.

Although entry restrictions have been tightened, it is reported that people will now be allowed to split their holidays between two resorts, which was not allowed earlier.