There's good news for those people who have been itching to pack their luggage and go somewhere refreshing this summer. The Maldives, a country that boasts its natural beauty, is now opening its borders to global travellers, including citizens from the United States.
As of July 15, the island nation reopened its doors to international tourism with very few strings attached. Visitors will no longer be required to go through a mandatory quarantine upon arrival at the Velena International Airport in Male.
Furthermore, proof of a negative coronavirus test is also no longer necessary. No new visa requirements or additional fees are needed as well.
Are you getting excited? Hold your horses. Here are a few tips you need to consider before booking your flight.
1.Pick your resort wisely.
Out of 156 resorts on Maldives Tourism's list of reopening dates, 43 will be open their doors to tourists starting July 15. Visitors to the country will only be allowed on the resort island areas. They are also required to book their entire stay in a single registered establishment.
As far as COVID-19 prevention goes, tourism officials are relying on the fact that each resort would already offer its own form of quarantine, not to mention, a pretty appealing and enjoyable one as well.
According to the Maldives government's guidelines, exemptions will be made only for transit arrangements.
In the event that guests or staff would come in contact with someone who tests positive for the coronavirus, hypothetically, they will be easy to trace as most islands in the country are developed for tourism featuring just a single resort.
2. Ensure your safe return back home.
As enticing as it sounds to hop right on a plane bound for the Maldives immediately, travellers need to confront with their home country's quarantine measures to make sure that they are able to return.
Having said that, not all countries are as lenient as others, and that alone might deter them from visiting the esteemed summer destination.
According to Sonu Shivdasani, CEO and founder of Soneva, it is crucial for tourists to understand that their travel plans do not depend on the Maldives alone, but also with travel restrictions in other countries. She adds that it simply isn't about desire, but ability as well.
3. Check protocols with your chosen airline.
Despite the global crisis leading to the slump of the aviation industry, it is still possible to fly to the Maldives through several major airlines connecting through the Middle East.
Some of these carriers include Emirates Airlines, with connecting flight through Dubai from major cities like Sydney, Toronto, Chicago, and London. Similarly, Etihad will also resume flights from Abu Dhabi to the Maldives starting July 16, while Turkish Airlines is said to resume flights on July 17.
Keep in mind that just because the Maldives does not require tourists to submit any proof that they are free of the virus, some airlines might just do so.
For some, passengers are asked to fill in health
declaration forms upon arrival. Travellers displaying symptoms of COVID-19 will be subjected to a PCR test at their own cost and sent to a designated facility for isolation.
Does a trip to the Maldives still sound exciting? Being prepared is better than dealing with sudden problems once you get there. Reward yourself from staying at home hor months on quarantine with a trip to one of the best summer destinations in the world, but proceed with caution and preparation.
