Гид (инструкция) для путешествующих на Мальдивы

Guideline for Traveling to Maldives undeR “The New Normal” Updated on 02 September 2020

Introduction

The Maldives is a picture-perfect archipelago, situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and home to 1,190+ dispersed coral islands which provide for natural isolation. The country is famous for its beauty and is celebrated as one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.

Due to the unprecedented global pandemic, COVID-19, tourism had to come to a standstill and the country had to close its borders due to the stringent public health measures taken to curb the outbreak. After 110 days of closing the borders, on 15th July, 2020, Maldives reopened its borders to international tourists. As the world recovers from the current situation, the government made the decision to reopen the borders, fully confident in the safety measures and preparations to ensure the protection of all visitors and people working in the tourism sector itself. The health and safety of visitors have always been paramount and the resumption of the tourism industry was only given the go-ahead following extensive protocols after important consultations with health professionals and relevant stakeholders.

All resort facilities and tourist establishments have been regulated to ensure that they are in line with the COVID-19 tourism guidelines; a COVID-19 safe tourism guideline has been issued by the Ministry of Tourism along with a certification program to uphold proper safety and hygiene standards.

The signature “one-island-one-resort” concept means that visitors to the country are based in their respective resorts. Together, these unique arrangements make it easier for visitors to maintain social distancing, whilst enjoying a truly safe and secluded holiday.

While visitors get to enjoy the beautiful country, it is vital to provide them with a clear understanding and awareness of the safety measures in place, to ensure that they get to enjoy a hassle-free vacation. They are requested to adhere to all measures stated in this document and ensure that all necessary requirements are met prior to arrival, during arrival and departure from Maldives.

Before your arrival to the Maldives

Booking

• A confirmed booking in a tourist establishment registered with the Ministry of Tourism is mandatory.
• Tourists are advised to directly check offers and operational status with the preferred tourist establishment. A list is accessible on the Ministry of Tourism website as well as Visit Maldives website.
• The guideline published by the Ministry of Tourism details what tourists can expect as they plan their trip to the Maldives. This guideline is available on Ministry of Tourism website as well as Visit Maldives website, and it shall be revised every two weeks depending on the changing dynamics of the COVID-19 situation in the country.

Prior to entry

• A pre-arrival Visa is not required to gain entry into the country. Tourists are provided a 30-day free Visa on arrival.
• The tourists’ Passport must have at least 1-month validity from the date of expected departure in the Maldives.
• The online Health Declaration Form should be filled and submitted within 24 hours prior to departure. This form is accessible on https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/
• Travellers arriving in Maldives from 10 September 2020 will be required to provide a negative coronavirus test result on arrival.
• Persons who have a history of contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 within the past 14 days and/or persons who have fever or respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, shortness of breath within the past 14 days should not travel to Maldives.

During your flight and arrival at Velana International Airport

• All passengers must undergo thermal screening at the arrival terminal.
• All passengers should wear masks.
• Hands should be sanitized. Hand sanitization and hygiene facilities are available throughout the airport.
• Physical distancing should be ensured. All physical distancing guidelines are clearly marked with visible distance information and floor markings in passenger terminals.
• If the passenger has a fever, cough or shortness of breath on board the flight, it should be informed to the local Health Protection Agency.
• All tourists are encouraged to install the Contact Tracing app “TraceEkee.”

If the tourist is negative for COVID-19

• If the tourist is in temporary quarantine at a transit facility, he/she will be released from quarantine.
• Although released from quarantine, a symptomatic tourist must wear a mask, observe physical distancing and avoid public gatherings until 48 hours after resolution of symptoms.
• A symptomatic tourist should be reviewed periodically by a health profession at the resort until the resolution of symptoms.

If the tourist is positive for COVID-19

• The tourist will continue isolation. The duration of the isolation period will be 14 days after symptom onset AND at least 3 days without symptoms.
• Upon completion of the isolation period, the tourist will be released.

Managing contacts of a symptomatic tourist

• Contact tracing will be initiated by the border health staff of Health Protection Agency. If a close contact is identified, the person will be informed to self-quarantine until the result of the PCR test for the suspected case is available.
• Contact tracing should be done for any tourist who is a suspected case of COVID-19 to identify passengers who were close contacts during the flight and during the journey.
• If the contact is identified at the airport, he/she can be allowed to travel to their destination resort and self-quarantine in the resort room. A tourist who is identified as a close contact should not embark on to a safari until the result of the PCR test for the suspected case is available.
• If the PCR test of the suspected case is positive, the contact must undergo a PCR test.
• If the contacts’ PCR test is positive, the contact will be managed as a confirmed case of COVID-19.
• If the contacts’ PCR test is negative, the contact must undergo quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of last exposure to the suspected case. During this period, if the contact is symptomatic, a PCR test must be done. If the contact remains asymptomatic, a PCR test will be done upon completion of the quarantine period and he/she will be released if the result is negative.
• If the PCR test of the suspected case is negative, the contact will be released from quarantine and no restrictive measures will be taken on him/her.

Managing tourists with a history of contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19

• A tourist with a history of contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 within 14 days prior to arrival, must be examined by the doctor at the designated health screening clinic/area and a sample should be taken for PCR for COVID-19 testing.
• If the tourist is symptomatic, he/she will be managed as a suspected case of COVID-19.
• If the tourist is asymptomatic, he/she can be transferred to the destination resort OR transferred to a designated isolation facility.
• If the result of the PCR test is positive, the tourist will be isolated at the destination resort OR transferred to a designated isolation facility. The duration of the isolation period will be 14 days from the date of the test if he/she remains asymptomatic.
• If the result of the PCR test is negative, the tourist will be quarantined for 14 days from the date of last exposure. This can be done at the tourists’ resort room.
• If he/she remains asymptomatic during quarantine, do PCR testing upon completion of quarantine and he/she will be released if the result is negative.
• If he/she develops symptoms during quarantine, do PCR testing and he/she will be treated as a confirmed case of COVID-19 if the result is positive.
• If the result is negative, the duration of quarantine will be extended to a further 14 days from the date of onset of symptoms, followed by another PCR test at the end of this quarantine period.

During your stay in the Maldives

• All tourist facilities will have access to medical services, well-managed stock of PPE and a COVID-19 safety manager.
• Tourists are not allowed to travel to other islands or to the capital city, Malé.
• Tourists with transit requirements may stay in designated facilities which have been given special permits by the Ministry of Tourism and the Health Protection Agency. The resort/hotel representative will help in making special arrangements for this.

Departure from the Maldives

• Tourists who are not in isolation or quarantine will have to undergo an exit screening prior to departure from their destination.
• The exit screening questionnaire should document any history of fever or respiratory symptoms within the prior 14 days. Temperature should be checked to exude fever.
• Routine testing for COVID-19 is not required prior to departure. However, during exit screening, if any tourist is found to have fever of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 within the prior 14 days, they should undergo PCR testing for COVID-19.
• For tourists who require COVID-19 test results to return to their countries of origin or another destination, testing services are available in the Maldives. This can be arranged through the destination or resort representative.
• Tourists who require a negative PCR test result for their outbound flight or onward destination will not be taken to the airport for departure without a negative test result at hand.

Voluntary Testing

• Voluntary PCR/Anti Body testing facilities will be made available for exit screen requirement. This can be arranged by through the destination or resort representative.

COVID-19 PCR Testing laboratories for travelers