(TAN): Maldives has mandated all tourists and short-term visitors to present a negative Covid-19 test on arrival from September 10. The PCR test must be conducted maximum 72 hours prior to departure to Maldives. PCR tests for infants aged less than one year are exempted.
This comes soon after Tourism Minister Abdulla Mausoom confirmed that the government will mandate negative Covid-19 test certificates to allow entry into the country.
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Mausoom said although Maldives reopened borders with a set of very lenient guidelines, the safety measures will be strengthened to ensure the safety of all, including the staff working in the hospitality industry.
“That will also guarantee safety and protection for tourists visiting Maldives, which will be important for increasing our numbers,” he said on a local TV programme.
“In essence, Maldives is the best country to vacation safely from among global destinations,” he added, referring to the archipelago’s unique geography and one-island-one-resort concept.
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Only about 7,000 tourists visited the country during the month of August. However, Mausoom stated that the government is expecting an additional 100,000 tourist arrivals before year end. The minister speculated that Maldives may see 500,000 tourist arrivals this year, if all goes well.
Maldives closed its air and sea borders to tourist arrivals on March 27 because of the coronavirus outbreak, halting the issuance of on-arrival visas until borders reopened on July 15.
