COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Maldives (2 December Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Residents are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes

• Foreign nationals can enter.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes

• Transit through the Maldives is allowed.

Is a test required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Temperature checks and screening procedures are in place on arrival. Quarantine facilities have been set up to isolate any suspected cases of COVID-19. 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 to stay. Local health authorities may conduct random testing, at no cost to travellers.

Test certificate required?

• Yes with exceptions

• All arriving travellers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued no more than 96 hours prior to departure. Children less than one-year-old are exempt from the testing measures.

• The travellers transiting through the Maldives for a period exceeding 24 hours have to obtain another PCR test report.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Tourists arriving without symptoms do not need to quarantine. Non-tourists such as residents and returning students must self-isolate for 14 days and register on the Haalubelun portal online at link.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• All travellers to the Maldives must complete a Traveller Health Declaration form 24 hours before departure to the Maldives. Travellers are also required to complete an Immigration Arrival Card. The health declaration form is available here.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• All travellers are encouraged to install an application named ‘TraceEkee’ before arrival which will help in contact tracing.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• International flights have resumed.

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

• The air travel bubble between India and Maldives has opened.

• Male’ Airport remains closed from 00:00 to 06:00.

Border restrictions

• Minimal

• The government of Maldives reopened its borders 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 conduct a PCR test 72 hours prior to scheduled departure from the Maldives.

Curfew restrictions

• Significant

• The State of Public Health Emergency has been extended until 5 December.

• There is a curfew in the Greater Malé area (which includes Malé, Vilimale’ and Hulhumale’) from 00:00 to 04:00 (local time).

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.

• In Male, public gatherings of more than 15 people remain banned.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• All tourists are required to wear face masks at the airport, during domestic travel, and in all enclosed public spaces.

• Travel between COVID-19-free islands is allowed only for essential services. Travel to and from islands with confirmed COVID-19 cases is restricted.

• Travelling from Malé (excluding the airport) to other islands requires a 14-day quarantine at the destination.

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

• In Greater Malé area, there are currently no movement restrictions except during curfew hours.

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 for 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.

Advice

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.