This story has been updated with new details in lines 5&6.
The Maldives has lifted the ban on arrivals from seven southern African countries that came into effect after the Omicron variant was identified in South Africa in November. Travellers from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini and Mozambique are once again allowed entry to the bucket-list tropical holiday destination, quarantine free.
The island nation now has new measures against COVID-19 for all travellers, including those from southern African countries.
The Maldivian Government's Tourism Ministry issued a circular with the new regulations on December 26, but the circular is still unclear on whether both unvaccinated and vaccinated travellers will be allowed in.
*The website, maldives.net.mv says vaccinated tourists are now required to produce a negative PCR test result from a sample taken in the 96 hours before their departure to the Maldives. This pre-travel PCR test had previously been scrapped for tourists who had proof of full vaccination two weeks before their departure from the first port of embarkation, but this rule has now been reinstated. Infants less than one year old are exempt from this requirement.
*All travellers other than tourists will be required to undergo PCR testing within three to five days of their arrival.
*Unvaccinated locals and work permit holders will be required to complete a 14-day quarantine on arrival. It is unclear whether unvaccinated tourists are simply not allowed in, or are subject to 14 days quarantine on arrival.
*Tourists are required to fill an online health declaration form within the 24 hours prior to their departure.
Maldives had been enjoying regular traffic from South Africa with a weekly direct service by Air Seychelles (with only a technical stop in Mahé) since June 2021, until the ban on pax from Southern African countries kicked in.
Operators told Travel News they expected this very popular service to return. Air Seychelles acknowledged that the island territory had indeed reopened for the SA market, but the airline was unable to furnish any details of flights at this early stage.
