Maldives to Open Borders Tomorrow

After closing the country’s borders following Covid-19 hit, Maldives is laying the final stones to open the country’s borders tomorrow with all necessary precautions underway. 

Maldives closed its borders on 27 March, 2020, after announcing State of Health Emergency following onset of novel Coronavirus in the country. A strict lockdown was maintained in the first few months, with the authorities introducing certain relaxations gradually. Velana International Airport (VIA) was temporarily closed with only essential and emergency repatriation continuing necessary operations.  

After 110 days since tourism industry ground to a halt, Maldives is gearing up to open the country’s borders due to the many economic shortfalls the country is facing. While the final preparations are being made, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) will be under much duress with the huge responsibility in controlling further spread of Covid-19 through arriving passengers.

By keeping in mind the safety requirements of passengers and staff, VIA has changed many of its operational guidelines. As per Health Protection Agency (HPA) guidelines, all airport staff, arriving passengers and those departing, will be tested for any sort of fever by observing their temperatures. HPA also mandated holidaymakers arriving in the Maldives to observe social distancing measures and wear face masks. Following this, VIA has attached signs and posters reminding passengers to exercise all safety precaution as per HPA’s mandates. A glass partition will now separate staff from passengers, ensuring little to no physical contact between them. VIA staff also maintains a stringent schedule to disinfect the airport. 

A flight from Qatar Airways will be the first to enter the country’s borders with 11 other international flights scheduled to follow. Sources claim that the flight from Qatar Airways have been overbooked, emphasizing the fervor of tourists to visit the island nation. While VIA is opening in new normal, MACL has made enough preparations to make clearance effectively for flights landing every 20 minutes. 

Out of the 166 resorts operating in Maldives, 30 resorts will commence operations starting tomorrow, states Ministry of Tourism. The ministry also notes that, on July 15th only resorts and safari vessels will begin their daily operations with hotels planned to be opened in August. The state aims to bring 850,000 tourists to the country by the end of this year.

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Mariam Shifa

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