A getaway to the Maldives in Dec?

While the COVID-19 pandemic shut down travel to much of the world, are you looking for a getaway at this special holiday season?

The globally disruptive COVID-19 pandemic has changed our daily lives and how we interact with one another. In light of social distancing recommendations, several million people across the globe had to stay home, it has also sparked innovation.

The Maldives has found a way to help tourists bypass the boredoms of quarantine. The country is renowned for the ‘one-island-one-resort’ concept. Tourists from all over the world visit to enjoy the pristine natural environment, world-class services, privacy and seclusion. With COVID-19 tourism regulations in place, and naturally distanced islands allowing for more privacy, Maldives is believed to be one of the safest holiday destinations.

Accessing the Maldives during COVID

The majority of traffic to the Maldives is for leisure with passengers arriving and embarking directly to their resort for the duration of their stay.

Velana International Airport (VRMM) has been open since mid-July. The Maldives peak season is from November to January. This time of year is usually dryer and less humid. As one of the few resort destinations in Asia currently open with minimal restrictions and ease of entry for foreign passengers, we anticipate a significant increase in traffic over the coming months.

Here is everything you need to know about planning your holiday to the Maldives in December or January.

Who is allowed to enter the Maldives?

The Maldives are completely unrestricted. Foreign nationals, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korean, India, Indonesia and Singapore, etc.

Note: Officials may modify regulations based on a passenger’s nationality and travel history, and authorities could suspend international travel at short notice.

Passengers can obtain visas on arrival, but must reserve accommodations at either one resort or a maximum of two different approved resorts, where they are to spend their entire time in the Maldives.

Quarantine requirements?

There is no mandatory quarantine for asymptomatic travelers, all persons entering the country need to submit an online health declaration form via the “Imuga” portal within 24 hours before travel.

COVID testing requirements?

The Maldives requires all visitors to present a negative PCR certificate that was conducted no more than 96 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure from the first port of embarkation en-route to the Maldives. No quarantine procedures are in place, however, tourists should stay at the same resort/island/hotel throughout their entire stay (They cannot move from one island to another).

The COVID-19 Negative PCR Test Result document has to be attached while completing Traveller Health Declaration form on “Imuga” Portal.

Mask requirements

Masks are required in public in the capital, Male, and residential islands, but not at resort hotels.

What’s life like in the Maldives currently?

Foreign tourists are limited in where they can travel in the Maldives. Only foreign tourists in transit can check into hotels or guesthouses in the Greater Male urban area; others must stay in resorts, where officials may enforce temporary movement restrictions in the event of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases.

Once inside the resorts, guests are free to move about. Resorts are at limited capacity to help reduce the spread and are taking extra sanitary precautions. While masks are not required for guests, staff wear masks. Some resorts greet visitors with an onsite doctor offering free voluntary COVID testing.

Note that Tourists must have a hotel reservation confirmation for the entire stay in a registered tourist facility.

Restaurants

Restaurants are open across the country with safety measures and guidelines issued by Health Protection Agency (HPA).

Interisland travel

Tourists should stay at the same resort/island/hotel throughout their entire stay (They cannot move from one island to another).

Thinking about flying to the Maldives?

Our Universal Aviation Maldives team is based at Velana International Airport (VRMM) and provides service all islands in the Maldives. We’re standing by and ready to help you plan and manage all the details of your holiday plan – from requirements and feasibility, to planning and coordination. The Universal Aviation Maldives team can be reached at Maldives@universalaviation.aero and Trip Support Teams apoc@univ-wea.com.

Content provided by Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc.