Effective from 10th September 2020, all tourists and other short-term visitors are required to have certificate of negative PCR test result for COVID-19, with the sample taken 72 hours prior to departure to Maldives, counting from the first port of embarkation en-route to the Maldives. As such, passengers entering to Maldives under Tourist Visa, Business Visa, Special Visa and ship crew arriving to sign-on are required to present the COVID-19 negative PCR test result. The PCR certificate should clearly show the name and address of the laboratory, the result and the date of sample taken.
However, the following categories of travelers are exempt from pre-arrival PCR test requirements;
- Citizens of Maldives
- Valid Employment Approval or work visa holders
- Depend visa holders
- Student visa holders
- Marriage visa holders
- Children below one year of age
- Flight crew arriving on General Declaration
Among the above-mentioned categories of travelers, except flight crew arriving on General Declaration and children below one year of age travelling with families of tourists, are required to undergo mandatory home quarantine (in their place of residency or work) for 14 days.
Additionally, in reference to the guidelines provided by related government authorities, possession of a PCR negative test result does not preclude the authorities subjecting such passengers to screening or any other surveillance measures at the points of entry.
The negative PCR test result must be attached while completing Traveler Health Declaration form, which has to be submitted online via IMUGA (www.imuga.immigration.gov.mv), by all arriving passengers before arrival (but not exceeding 24 hours before arrival time).
Reference:
Air Transport Circular: 14/2020 – Issue 02 (10 September 2020)