Maldives To Offer Vaccine on Arrival, And Relaxed Testing Rules

Here is a country that values tourism, after all, it represents 28% of their total GDP and therefore it deserves the attention and initiatives that the Maldives is putting in.

The Maldives has been one of the steadiest and most reliable destinations for travel during covid-19. The country has remained resolute with a simple entry policy requiring a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival.

The country tourism authority even launched a ‘world first’ loyalty program to make return visitors feel even more welcome with extra perks, while other countries leave lucrative and long-missed tourists with lengthy and complicated procedures on arrival.

Now, it’s taking reasons to travel to another level, with plans to offer the vaccine to anyone arriving in the Maldives. Effective today, all travellers arriving with proof of covid-19 vaccination are now able to enter without testing requirements too.

The Maldives will allow vaccinated travellers to enter the country without obtaining a covid-19 test prior to flight, provided they have waited at least 14 days since the date of their final required dose. No quarantine will be required, either.

The Maldives has a strong supply of covid-19 vaccine and is already over 50% done vaccinating its population, with at least one dose.

A specific date has not been given, Abdulla Mausoom, Tourism Minister of The Maldives stated to CNBC that once all in the country who want vaccine access have received it, the Maldives will begin to offer vaccination on arrival for tourists who are finding appointments back home tough to come by.

Vaccine tourism is going to be “one of the things”, and you’ll be able to get it right away in the Maldives, at some point in the very near future.

For now, all vaccinated travellers can enjoy easier entry into the country immediately, with fewer hoops to jump through and unvaccinated travellers can still enjoy a getaway to paradise, with a simple PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.

By Joe Cusmano