The Maldives government has reduced the quarantine period for fully vaccinated South Asian work permit holders to one week.
South Asian work visa holders will be permitted to return to the Maldives with a negative PCR test 96 hours before departure, according to the new COVID-19 guidelines published yesterday. In addition, they would be required to quarantine in a location designated by their employer or the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
However, South Asian work permit holders who have not finished the requisite dosage of a COVID-19 vaccine will be quarantined for 14 days.
The HPA has already designated three guesthouses for the quarantine of work permit holders, including the Beehive Hotel and Three Inn in Male’, as well as the White Harp in Hulhumale.
Those traveling to the Maldives on a work visa would be asked to submit an extra PCR test 48 to 72 hours after arrival, as well as another test after completing the mandated quarantine. Moreover, the expense of all tests and quarantine must be borne by the work permit holder or their employer.
In May, the Maldives banned South Asian visitors due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. South Asian visitors will be able to visit the country beginning July 15, but they will not be allowed to stay in guesthouses until the end of the month.
