It's Saturday morning—bright with a light breeze. You wake up to the cacophony of the traffic outside your home, and wish that the gentle wind could instead whisk you away to a luxurious overwater villa for the weekend. As luck would have it, the Maldives will reopen to Indian travellers from July 15—giving you the chance to sip your sleek Cabernet as you soak in the panoramic view of the ocean, and wiggle into your wetsuit when it's time to take a dip in the Arabian Sea. But needless to say, the pandemic still hasn't ended and there are a few things to keep in mind before you make your much-awaited visit to the island nation. Ahead, we fill you in on every detail before you start planning your trip.
What are the visa and entry requirements for Indian tourists?
- As the massive second wave of COVID-19 peaked, the Government of Maldives suspended the issuance of tourist visas for South Asian travellers, effective May 13. Now, after two months, the restrictions have been eased and tourists will be issued an on-arrival visa to the country, as usual. To be eligible for the same, all you need to do is show a confirmation of your hotel reservation at the airport. For the approved opening dates of tourist resorts, yacht marinas, guesthouses and more, click here.
- All tourists—including the ones who are fully vaccinated—need to carry a negative RT-PCR test report, with samples taken at least 48 hours, and at most 72 hours, prior to departure. In addition, you need to submit an online health declaration form on the Maldives immigration portal 24 hours before arriving in the country.
What other logistical concerns do you need to take care of during the stay?
- As of now, tourists originating from India are not allowed to travel to the Greater Male area due to its dense local population.
- While you're allowed to split your stay between hotels, it is mandatory that the two facilities meet government guidelines and have approvals on split stays from the Ministry of Tourism in the Maldives. All tourists are advised to inform the facilities about other resorts they may have planned to spend a few days at during the vacation.
- Tourists are not required to quarantine on arrival. However, if you—or a person in your group—show any symptoms of COVID-19, you will have to take an RT-PCR test and quarantine at a resort or a transit facility until you get the reports. The cost of the accommodation may be borne by you.
- Motorised and non-motorised water sports, including paddleboarding, diving, gliding, among others, are fully operational—as well as the facilities like swimming pools, gyms and spas. Nonetheless, some resorts have restrictions on the number of people who can access these simultaneously. Make sure you check these details with your hotel in advance and make necessary appointments for the guided activities before arrival.
- Upon entering India after your stay in the Maldives, you will be required to present another certificate of a negative RT-PCR test. Hence, make sure to inform the property in advance, so the on-site management team can arrange for the same before check-out.
What's the COVID-19 situation in the Maldives?
The Maldives has reported approximately 75,332 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 15, with 72,569 recoveries. Out of the total, 1,680 cases were recorded in the last fourteen days. However, over five lakh vaccine doses have been administered in the country since February, when it began its roll-out of the India-made AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine. While the island chain is one of the few destinations offering a near-normal holiday experience—as most resorts have been isolated and visitors opt for private villas—you should expect a temperature check by your facility on arrival, and masks to be worn wherever needed.
Also read:
10 best places to stay in Maldives for all budgets
8 hotels and resorts with unique experiences that you should bookmark for your next getaway
What is slow travel—and how can you be a part of the movement?
