Coronavirus in the Maldives - Updated info

As throughout the world, the coronavirus in the Maldives is deeply affecting travelers and tourism. We summarize in this article the situation today (March 2022).

Coronavirus in Maldives: cases

Right now, in March 2022 there have been some 172000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported throughout the pandemic, of which 297 have died. It is one of the least affected countries in the world despite the movement of travelers. The authorities are taking their work very seriously because tourism is very important to them.

In the beginning of 2022 there was a high rebound in cases due to new variations, much more contagious but less dangerous. The contagion curve is already normalized and there has been a slow but continuous decline in cases for several weeks.

Here we have the official website of the Ministry of Health where they explain the cases: https://covid19.health.gov.mv/

Evolution of the pandemic in Maldives by daily cases:

Covid in Maldives cases 2022 — Daily cases Coronavirus Maldives. Source: Google and JHU CSSE COVID-19 Data

Omicron in the Maldives

The new strain of the Coronavirus Omicron has not affected the Maldives at the moment.

As many other countries have done, the Government of the Maldives has also imposed travel restrictions on several African nations to prevent the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 from entering the country. Since last November 28, the Maldives has prohibited entry to travelers from seven African countries.

The Ministry of Health in a statement announced that citizens of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini will not be allowed to enter the Maldives.

Travelers who were in these countries during the last two days before entering the Maldives, must undergo 14 days of quarantine.

State of borders and resorts due to coronavirus in Maldives

On March 27, the borders were closed due to the pandemic. On July 15 they reopened, we explain below.

Travel to Maldives after Covid 19 – Coronavirus

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has confirmed on June 23 the opening of the borders from July 15, 2020:

On June 1, clients who have private planes or super yachts have begun to travel.
Normal flights have begun on July 15 and several resorts will begin operating. The list is gradually increasing, you can see below.
The opening of accommodation on local islands has been postponed until October 15.

Coronavirus in the Maldives – travel insurance

We always recommend traveling with travel insurance, but at this time it is even more important.

To try to make life a little easier for travelers, Maldives Incredible has an agreement with IATI Insurance whereby our customers and readers would have a 5% discount on the already good prices offered to travelers for their insurance trip to Maldives.

They cover various incidents due to the coronavirus, for example not being able to travel due to testing positive. To take a look at their policies you have to click on the image or use the link and we can see the different options for our trip with the corresponding discount.

IATI discount link

More information: Travel insurance to Maldives

Can you travel to the Maldives in the coronavirus pandemic?

Yes, the borders are open from July 15 to travel to resorts. In addition, the resorts are giving good deals and a lot of cancellation flexibility.

New in September: from September 10 it will be mandatory to present a negative PCR test on arrival in Maldives made 96 hours before the flight departure (4 days) and a health declaration. We explain both in the next section.

The Maldives Ministry of Tourism has confirmed that:

Borders will be opened to all nationalities (there will be no excluded countries)
There will be no extra charge, the Maldives visa will remain on arrival and free.
There will be no quarantine on arrival.
A negative PCR test will not be required any more upon arrival in Maldives (from March 2022).
It will be mandatory to present a health declaration (we will explain later)
If symptoms occur, a test may need to be done by the traveler.
You must bring a reservation made in advance.

PCR test to travel to the Maldives

As indicated above, from middle March 2022, is NOT mandatory to present a negative PCR test for COVID-19 to enter the Maldives. For both, vaccinated and not vaccineated travellers.

IMUGA health declaration form

IMPORTANT: It is mandatory to submit an online health form within 48 hours before arriving in Maldives. This “Traveler’s Health Declaration” is presented to mitigate health risks and facilitate visa procedures. The presentation of this same form is also mandatory for all people who leave the Maldives Islands at the end of their stay.

Travelers can complete and submit their health declarations through the “Imuga” immigration online portal at: https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/ethd/create

This procedure can be done directly at the airport, but there is a special queue in which you can lose a lot of time; so it is much more convenient to do it in advance on the Imuga page.

Maldivas Incredible will help all its clients in case of any doubt in the procedures.

The declaration of health is mandatory for all travelers entering or leaving the country, including tourists, work visas and locals.

What security measures are taken at Male International Airport?

With the new security measures in place, the capacity of the arrivals hall has been reduced from 1,000 passengers to 570. The departure terminal will also be reduced from 1,200 to 750 passengers.
Social distancing measures have been taken with clear visible social distance information and markings on the floor at passenger terminals. This includes the ticket sales points and check-in counters, and the pre-flight inspection area at the international terminal and the domestic terminal at the airport.
Tall glass sheet spacers have been installed between the counters.
Hygiene measures have been intensified throughout the airport. All seats and desks, rest areas, ticket sales and check-in counters, along with the floor and tarmac area of the airport are subject to regular disinfection processes.

Are there any restrictions on accommodation for my stay in Maldives?

It is mandatory to have a confirmed reservation in a tourist accommodation registered with the Ministry of Tourism before traveling to the Maldives.
The resorts, boats on board and hotels located on uninhabited islands are available from July 15, 2020.
Guesthouses and hotels located on inhabited local islands will be open from October 15, 2020 (information further down in the article).
Travelers visiting the Maldives during Phase 1 (July and August) of the opening must book their entire stay in a single accommodation. As of October 15, stays are allowed on several islands, resorts and hotels with conditions.
A number of guesthouses and hotels located on inhabited islands will be able to accommodate transit passengers awaiting domestic transfers under special permits.

Will there be a Covid-19 test for all people arriving in the Maldives?

Travelers do not must submit a PCR test and will not be subject to any tests or quarantine measures upon arrival in the Maldives unless symptoms are detected.
Travelers with symptoms of COVID-19, including but not limited to a cough, runny nose or shortness of breath upon arrival, will undergo a PCR test at a cost to the traveler.
Local health authorities can conduct random tests at no cost to travelers.
A health declaration card will be required as part of the arrival procedure. This will be issued in Immigration.

Opening of flights to Madives after Covid 19

The company that manages Maldives airports, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has confirmed as of June 21 that 10 international airlines have confirmed the opening of routes to Malé International Airport (Velana International Airport).

Most airlines that flew before the pandemic have returned to operation.

List of open resorts in Maldives

We give below the most updated list we have of the state of the resorts in Maldives due to coronavirus Covid 19.

They have opened on July 15

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
Angsana Ihuru
Angsana Velavaru
Taj Exotica Maldives Resort & Spa
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives
Waldorf Astoria
Furaveri Island Resort & Spa
Fihalhohi Island Resort
Noku Maldives
Cocoon maldives
You & Me by Cocoon Maldives
Lily Beach Resort & Spa
Amilla Fushi Maldives Resort and Residences
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
Four Seasons Maldives Private Island at Voavah
Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa
The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah
SAii Lagoon Maldives
Hard Rock Hotel Maldives
LUX * North Male Atoll Resort & Villas
Amila fushi
Soneva Fushi
Soneva Jani
Rahaa Resort
Amaya kuda rah
Velaa Private Island Maldives
Paradise Island Resort & Spa
Cinnamon Resorts (Hakuraa Huraa, Dhonveli, Ellaidhoo, Velifushi)
Kudafushi Resort and Spa
Six Senses Laamu
LTI Maafushivaru, Maldives (July 22)
OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo
Atmosphere Kanifushi
OBLU SELECT at Sangeli
VARU by Atmosphere
OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli
Olhuveli Beach & Spa
Ayada Maldives (July 25)

August

Cheval Blanc Randheli
ROBINSON Club Noonu
Centara Hotels & Resorts
Vakkaru Maldives
Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa
Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort
One & Only Reethi Rah
Dusit Thani Maldives
Six Senses Laamu
LUX * South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas
Hotel Jen by Shangri-La
Fun island resort
Royal Island Resort & Spa
Sun Island Resort & Spa
JOALI Maldives
Bandos Maldives
Coco Bodu Hithi
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu
Biyadhoo island resort
Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi
Sun Aqua Iru Veli

September

Kandima maldives
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa Maldives
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
Kagi Maldives Spa Island
Filitheyo Island Resort
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa
Amari Havodda Maldives
Constance Moofushi Maldives
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives
Dhigufaru Island Resort
Meeru Island Resort
Vilamendhoo Island Resort
Veligandu Island Resort
Champa Central Hotel
Kagi Maldives (new)
Kudadoo
Hurawalhi
Komandoo
Heritance Aarah
Adaaran Club Rannalhi, Adaaran Select Meedhuparu and Adaaran Prestige Water Villas
Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi (surf only)
Embudu Village
Summer Island Maldives

From October

ROBINSON Club Maldives
Outrigger Konotta Maldives
Rihiveli The Dream
The St. Regis Maldives
Kurumba Maldives
Velassaru Maldives
Kuramathi Maldives
Kandolhu Maldives
Dhigali Maldives
Faarufushi Maldives
Seaside Finolhu
Fushifaru Maldives
Medhufushi Island Resort
The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
JA Manafaru
Kanuhura maldives
W Maldives
Baglioni Resort Maldives
Amilla Fushi Maldives Resort and Residences
Ozen Reserve Vittaveli
Sun Aqua Vilu Reef
AS Cocoa Island
Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort
Anantara Veli Maldives Resort
Naladhu Private Island
Baros Maldives
JW Marriott Maldives Resort and Spa
Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo Resort
Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives
Kuredu Island Resort & Spa
Innahura Maldives Resort
Palm Beach Island Resort & Spa (October 15)
Constance halaveli
Safari Island Maldives
Dreamland
Angaga Island Resort
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa

Other resorts:

COMO Maalifushi – November 16
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort – November 1
Thulhagiri – November
The Standard Maldives: November 1

Coronavirus in the Maldives: Local Islands

Local islands opening in Maldives

The Maldives Ministry of Tourism confirmed that it allows the opening of accommodation in Local Islands from October 15. The Health Protection Agency has published a revised standard operating procedure, aimed at preventing the transmission of COVID-19 in the tourism sector.

Before arrival at the Local Island

All tourists planning to stay at a local island hotel or guesthouse must have a negative PCR test for COVID-19 before entering the Maldives, as is the case with resorts. We explain the procedure at the top of the article.

Also, for any tourist who has stayed on a local island another PCR test is mandatory before departure from Maldives. If a specific deadline for PCR tests is set in the immigration requirements of the destination country, this deadline must be followed. Otherwise, the PCR test must be done within 96 hours prior to departure from Maldives. Guesthouses should facilitate PCR testing for tourists; and this or the guesthouse must bear all associated costs.

List of Local Islands open to tourism

This is a list with the official information combined with information on the hotels and guesthouses located on the islands themselves.

Guraidhoo: Opens November 5
Dhiffushi: closed until November
Dhigurah: closed until November
Dhangheti: opens November 1
Thulusdhoo: open
Fulhidhoo: open
Maafushi: open
Thoddoo: open
Mathiveri: open
Huraa: open
Fodhdhoo: open
Thinadhoo: open
Gaadhiffushi: open
Ukulhas: open

This list is verified where possible but we cannot be held responsible for the veracity of the information or if there are last minute changes.

While staying on a Local Island in Maldives

The use of the mask will be mandatory in public places for local people and for tourists staying on any of the local islands of the Maldives. Existing mask use guidelines should be followed.

It is recommended to use the contact tracing application “TraceEkee” to facilitate contact tracing. Tourists cannot enter private residential houses, but they can use public cafes and restaurants. Cafes and restaurants will follow the infection prevention measures provided by the Government of Maldives.

In addition, tourists can enter any commercial premises on the island.

Traveling between islands during your stay in Maldives

Tourists will be able to travel between two local islands; and between a resort and a local island for tourists as long as the resort or local island is not under travel restrictions.

Tourists must make a departure check before traveling from a local island to a resort or other local tourist island. This is to ensure that a symptomatic person or a quarantined person does not leave the island. In the exit exam, it must be ensured that the tourist:

You have not had episodes of fever or respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, runny nose, or trouble breathing.
You are not in quarantine or isolation.
The temperature will be monitored to rule out fever.

Any tourist with a fever or respiratory symptoms will be required to take a COVID-19 test.

What happens if a tourist develops any symptoms of coronavirus?

If a tourist or the staff of a local hotel or guesthouse develop any symptoms of the disease they should immediately wear a mask and remain isolated until medical consultation and tests. If the tourist shares the room with other people, they must isolate themselves separately in the designated isolation room in the accommodation. Close contacts of the tourist should wear a mask and self-quarantine in their room.

A medical consultation and a COVID-19 PCR sample should be carried out for all symptomatic people at the specialized clinic on the island. If the results are negative, the tourist can come out of isolation.

What happens if a tourist tests positive for Covid-19?

If the symptomatic tourist tests positive for COVID-19, the health authorities will inform the patient of the result. Contact tracing of the positive case should be done by the island’s COVID-19 task force. All close contacts should undergo a PCR test. Identified close contacts between staff and tourists should be quarantined at the island’s designated quarantine facility.

For possible cases of positives, quarantines or problems in the trip, we recommend traveling with insurance:

More information

Visit these web pages for more information on the situation of the coronavirus in Maldives:

This article in SPANISH.