The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has restricted Indian tourists from staying at local hotels and guest houses. The measure was taken due to a worrying surge in COVID-19 cases in the neighboring country.
A directive issued by the Director General of Public Health, Maimoona Aboobakuru Sunday said travelers from India to Maldives and those who have spent over 24 hours in transit in India are required to present proof of a negative PCR test when entering Maldives. PCR negative test must be presented even if the traveler has completed two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Indian tourists are temporarily banned from staying at local guesthouses and hotels, it further read. However, Indian tourists can continue to stay at local resorts and city hotels located away from local population.
HPA said Indian tourists already checked in to hotels and guesthouses will be allowed to stay at the facilities for the duration of their booking.
While HPA has banned local guest houses form hosting Indian tourists, over 2,000 Indian national are currently checked in at several guest houses as 'quarantine tourists'. Most guests checked in at Hulhumale' hotels are Indians. They arrived in Maldives to complete a 14 day quarantine before traveling to Middle Eastern countries.
