Can I visit the Maldives? Latest advice as the country is red-listed
Foreign holidays will be permitted from May 17 and while the Maldives is currently welcoming tourists, it has been added to the UK's red list.
From 4am on May 12, this requires Britons returning from the Maldives to quarantine for 10 days in a Government approved hotel, at a cost of £1,750 per person.
Despite having vaccinated more than 70 per cent of its population, infections have been flaring across the island nation. As of May 8, its seven-day case rate is 794.64 per 100,000. By comparison, the UK's is at 21 per 100K.
That said, its overall death toll is low at 82 in total, and given that many resorts operate on their own islands, the Maldives has continued to prove popular throughout the pandemic; especially among wealthy travellers and influencers despite restrictions tightening across many countries this winter.
If you do plan to book a trip to the Maldives for later this year, here’s what we know so far.
Am I allowed to travel to the Maldives?
No, for now, given that overseas trips are prohibited here until May 17. But yes, from the Maldives' point of view. Britons can holiday at a resort without having to quarantine on arrival.
International tourists can still enter the Maldives at Velana International Airport in Malé. Testing rules came into force on December 16, however. All visitors to the country must present evidence of a negative PCR test for Covid taken within 96 hours of departure.
They must also fill in a Traveller Health Declaration Form 24 hours before travelling to the country and an Immigration Arrival Card when they land. Temperature and screening checks are also in place on arrival. Quarantine facilities are set up to isolate any suspected cases of the virus.
Anyone who does show symptoms when they arrive will be required to take another test at their cost or at the cost of the place they are booked to stay in the Maldives.
All visitors are also asked to download the contract tracing app ‘Trace Ekee’ when or before they arrive.
Which resorts are open?
The Maldives has continued to welcome tourists in 2021. Most tourist resorts had reopened as of February 9, as well as hotels and guest houses.
What rules do I have to follow in the Maldives?
There are no travel restrictions between islands and resorts that do not have cases of the virus. However, travel to and from islands that have confirmed cases of Covid is restricted.
Tourists can travel between islands and resorts that do not have Covid-19 cases and are not subject to monitoring, but need prior approval for inter-island travel from splitstays@tourism.gov.mv.
Tourists must also undergo an exit screening before they depart from a resort. This may include a questionnaire regarding symptoms and a temperature check.
Are flights operating?
For when holidays resume, a number of airlines run services with connections in the Middle East. However, most stop in the United Arab Emirates (including Dubai), which is also on the red list.
British Airways and Sri Lankan Airlines offer regular, direct flights between London Heathrow and Malé Velana International Airport, which serves as a gateway for international tourists. Transfers to your resort will be by boat, sea plane or a domestic flight.
