All inbound travellers to Maldives once again required to submit negative PCT test on arrival

The Maldives Immigration has announced that effective from 3rd May 2021, all inbound travelers are required to present negative PCR test result, with the sample taken not more than 96 hours prior to departure to the Maldives, including travelers who have completed the administration of their 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

All travelers are also obliged to submit PCR negative test result attached while completing the online Traveler Health Declaration (THD) form via “IMUGA” Portal, (https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/ethd/), which has to be submitted within 24 hours prior to departure to the Maldives.

Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in India, Maldives is now implementing stringent measures including a temporary suspension of Indian tourists for stays only at guesthouses and local hotels in residential Maldivian islands from 27th April 2021. This temporary ban does not apply to resorts and hotels located away from the local population.

According to travel restrictions released on 25th April 2021 by Maldives immigration;

1. Passengers travelling from India and arriving in the Maldives, including travelers exceeding 24 hours transit periods, are required to produce a negative PCR test result from a sample obtained at least 96 hours prior to departure. The restriction also applies for tourists who have completed the COVID-19 vaccination.
2. All tourists who had arrived from India and are travelling back to India after their stay in the Maldives are mandated to do a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test 72 hours prior to their departure from Maldives.
3. Indian travelers arriving in the Maldives are restricted from staying at guesthouses and hotels located in local inhabited islands. The restriction does not apply to resorts and liveaboards.
4. Maldivian citizens and work visa holders are required to do a PCR test within 24hrs of arrival and undergo a mandatory quarantine of 10 days upon arrival in the Maldives.

Photo Credit: Nishan Ali