Maldives will be re-opening borders to South Asian tourists starting July 15. Until July is over, tourists will be allowed to enter the resorts only.
In a press conference held by the President's Office yesterday, it was announced that South Asian tourists will be allowed to visit guesthouses in inhabited islands from July onwards.
Entry of travelers from South Asian countries was halted in May after seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases in the region. Maldives also saw a rapid surge in cases in late April, which prompted the government to announce a lockdown in the Greater Male' Area on May 26, in addition to various inter-island travel restrictions. The curfew currently present in the Male' Area will be lifted from Thursday onwards as well.
The expenses for any PCR tests South Asian tourists are required to take will have to be paid by them.
Prior to opening guest houses for South Asian tourists, the government aims to vaccinate 60 percent of the populations of islands with guesthouses. Additionally, they are also working towards ensuring 95 percent of guesthouse staff are vaccinated.
Following the new developments, the government also plans to establish a system where resorts can test for COVID-19 themselves. This has to done by the resorts themselves or in collaboration with another party.
So far 199,784 people in Maldives has received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. This includes 70 percent of resort workers.
Looser travel restrictions were announced to Maldivians and resort workers today as well.
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