Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced that border restrictions will be eased, and the country will reopen to travelers from July 15, 2020 (Wednesday). Hotels on resort islands and islands where residents do not live will also resume operations from July 15 (Wednesday).

The Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean comprising over 1,190 islands, is famous as a beach destination with its "one island, one resort" concept. The country has decided to ease border restrictions by implementing necessary measures to prevent the spread of infection and ensure the safety of travelers and tourism industry staff.

Tourism is the backbone of the Maldivian economy. As tourism accounts for a significant portion of foreign exchange earnings, the industry has been severely impacted by the spread of novel coronavirus infections.

On June 23, the Ministry of Tourism announced "Public Health Measures for COVID-19 Prevention in the Tourism Sector," which serves as a guideline for accepting travelers. This document outlines indicators for all staff involved in tourism in the Maldives, as well as important information for travelers.

According to the guidelines, there will be no new tourism tax, and travelers will not be required to submit a negative COVID-19 test certificate or PCR test results upon entry to the Maldives. Travelers without symptoms will not need to quarantine.

However, mask-wearing is mandatory, and prior reservations at accommodation facilities certified by the Ministry of Tourism are required for travel. Reservations for guesthouses and hotels on inhabited islands will be accepted from August 1 (Saturday) onwards.

For the latest information, please refer to announcements from the Maldivian Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

*As of July 20, 2020, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a "Level 3" travel advisory. Upon returning to Japan, travelers are subject to PCR testing and are required to self-isolate for 14 days.
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