The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has amended the COVID-19 rules for arriving travelers to control the spread of the new coronavirus variant, Omicron.
According to a statement issued by the HPA, all inbound travelers to the Maldives, including tourists, will be required to have a negative PCR test that is no more than 96 hours old before entering the nation. The new rule will not apply to children under the age of one.
The HPA also stated that inbound travelers, other than tourists, will be required to take a PCR test within 3 to 5 days of entering the country.
The statement further said that unvaccinated Maldivians and work visa holders, with the exception of children under the age of 12, would be subjected to a 14-day quarantine period after entering the country and would be released following a negative PCR test after 14 days.
Furthermore, the HPA noted that with the publishing of the revised guidelines, the prior restrictions barring travelers from seven southern African countries, issued on November 27, had been lifted.
The agency also stated that the new guidelines would go into effect on December 27 and will remain in place until further notice.
