The Maldives opened its borders to all international tourists on 15th July 2020.
Can anyone travel to the Maldives?
Effective from 13th March 2022, PCR is no longer required to enter Maldives. However, all arriving and departing passengers via airports and seaports are required to complete the Traveler Declaration form within 72 hours to the flight time.
If you are unwell or have a history of contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID19 within the past 14 days and/or persons who have a fever or respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, shortness of breath within the past 14 days, you should not travel to the Maldives. Get in touch with us and we will assist you with amending your stay with us.
What can I do to protect myself while travelling?
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends following these steps to protect yourself and others when you travel:
Maintain a distance of 6 feet (2 meters) between you and others as much as possible.
Avoid contact with anyone who is sick
Limit contact with frequently touched surfaces, such as handrails, elevator buttons and kiosks. If you must touch these surfaces, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands afterward.
Wear a cloth face mask.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Cover coughs and sneezes.
Clean your hands often. It is especially important after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.
(Source: CDC Website, 2020)
Do you provide Insurance facility?
Allied Insurance in the Maldives has introduced the COVID-19 Insurance plan which can be applied online for the tourist to the Maldives. The insurance must be taken 24 hours prior to your travel.
Do you have any exemption to travel to the Maldives if I was positive for COVID in the past three months?
Health Protection Agency of Maldives (HPA) has announced that there will be an exemption for tourists who give a history of COVID-19 infection within the past 3 months.
What will happen when my flight lands at the Airport?
All guests travelling to and from the Maldives are required to submit a self-declarative health declaration. This traveller health declaration has to be filled and submitted via the online portal of Maldives Immigration, immigration.gov.mv. The health declaration must be filled and submitted within 24 hours priorto departure to the Maldives.
When you arrive at Velana International Airport, you will be greeted by our Airport Representative and escorted to the Domestic flight terminal.
Guests will be asked to sanitize their hands and to wear a mask upon arrival.
Do we get tested at the Resort?
No, we will not be testing guests upon arrival at Equator Village. However, your body temperature will be checked, and random COVID-19 tests are done at Velana International Airport by Maldivian authorities. They may request you to do a test, which is free of charge, and if you don’t have any symptoms, you can continue your journey as usual.
If you exhibit symptoms at the Airport or even at the Resort, you will be asked to do a PCR test at your expense.
Depending on Airlines procedures, you may need to take a PCR Test before travelling back from the Maldives which will be at your expense. We arrange PCR Testing for an additional cost if required.
What are the measures taken at the Resort to minimize COVID-19 transmission?
We are following the guidelines issued by the World Health Organization and the Health Protection Authority of Maldives. All our team members are being trained by experts in the field according to the latest protocols.
We will be practising social distancing; direct communication with guests will be minimized and instead done digitally.
Our F&B operations have been changed to ensure that social distancing is practised and we are taking extra precautionary measures to ensure food hygiene. Guests will have preassigned restaurant tables and servers during their stay.
Please find below links for our general health protocols and health declaration form:
Our team will be wearing appropriate PPE at all times
What should I do if I develop COVID-19 like symptoms while at the Resort?
If you develop COVID-19 like symptoms during your stay with us, you must inform our team by calling the designated number provided upon your arrival.
You must stay inside your room and our visiting Doctor will attend to you. Depending on the consultation, existing protocols will be followed to ensure that this is attended to as recommended by the Health Protection Agency of Maldives.
If you undergo a PCR test, you must stay inside your room until you get the test results. If the result is negative, you will be allowed to leave your room.
Do you have in-house Doctor?
We do not have an in-house Doctor, but we can always arrange visiting Doctors from Addu for an additional cost.
How much is a PCR Test?
We charge USD 80 per person if required by the airline or home country for entry.
Where is the closest hospital located?
The nearest hospital is located 24 km via link road and can be reached within 20 -30 minutes by vehicle.
Are sanitizers and face masks readily available at the Resort?
Sanitizers will be available at all public areas at the Resort, you may also purchase sanitizer bottle and masks from the medical center.
What is your cancellation policy, and can I change my booking?
If you have booked through a Tour Operator or Travel Agent, please check their cancellation policies. If you have a booking directly with us or by any online travel agency, we have a flexible cancellation policy as below:
No charges applicable for any date change or cancellation due to travel restrictions regarding COVID-19
Free cancellation if the booking is cancelled 72 hours prior to the guest arrival date
100% will be charged if the booking is cancelled within 72 hours of the guest arrival date
Please be informed that the cancellation policy might change without prior notice and will be updated to our website accordingly
Will the Dive center be open?
Yes, the dive center will be open with extra health and hygiene measures.
Are excursions and water sports activities available?
Excursions to local Islands will be ceased temporarily. Water sports activities will be available in the island.
Will the swimming pool be open?
Yes, the pool is open, and we allow 20 guests at a given time.
Will the fitness center be open?
Yes, however, guests will need to book the gym in advance. The number of guests allowed to use the gym will be limited, and the gym will be disinfected after each use.
Are excursions and water sports activities available?
Yes, we will have excursions available with a limited number of guests per day. Water sports activities will be available in the island as well.
Will the Spa be open?
During the re-opening stage, our spa will be closed and will be announcing when it will be opened.
How often would my room be cleaned during my stay?
Your room will be cleaned once a day, at a time that is most convenient for you. You may informed this to the front office upon arrival.
What can I do to protect myself and loved ones from COVID-19 during our stay?
Follow all guidelines provided by the Resort, practice social distancing at all times and frequently wash your hands.
What is the protocol if I get positive to COVID-19 during my stay?
If a guest is positive for COVID-19, the guests will be isolated at the Resort or taken to a government-run isolation facility depending on their health condition and the situation, which will be confirmed case by case.
Note: Please note that these procedures and health protocols might change anytime, hence we would recommend to carefully read below links for the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Tourism before travelling to the Maldives. https://covid19.health.gov.mv/en/?c=0 https://www.tourism.gov.mv
