Maldives: Officials to shorten curfew and ease other restrictions in Greater Male from July 1 /update 49

Event

Officials plan to shorten the nightly curfew to 20:00-04:00 and ease other restrictions in Greater Male from July 1 due to lower local COVID-19 activity. The affected region includes two zones; one including Hulhumale and the other comprising Male and Villimale. Authorities will also allow all businesses, including those in nonessential sectors, to reopen during non-curfew hours. Food establishments can resume serving dining-in customers with protocols, such as closing by 20:00 nightly. Residents will no longer have to present passes when outside their residences during non-curfew hours. Inter-zonal travel and nonessential movement remain prohibited at all times. Gatherings remain capped at five people; police permission is necessary for all events. Passengers exiting Greater Male must undergo PCR tests no more than 72 hours before departure.

Other domestic COVID-19 controls continue under the ongoing state of public emergency; the decree has undergone monthly extensions since March 2020. Residents over two years of age must wear facemasks in public places nationwide, except when exercising. Establishments must ensure sanitation and social distancing; violations are punishable by fines and closures for at least 24 hours. All vehicular movement is banned 00:01-04:00 nationwide; emergency and cargo vehicles are typically exempt. Educational institutions will close except for examinations; authorities are mandating telecommuting for all private and public offices to the extent possible. Inter-island travel is allowed between locations other than designated high-risk areas and islands with guesthouses. Those traveling from Greater Male to other regions must limit their travel to essential purposes until further notice; such passengers must typically undergo home quarantine for ten days at their destination; earlier quarantine exemptions for people who completed vaccination or recovered from COVID-19 are no longer valid.

Strict rules remain in place for locations with increased COVID-19 activity. Officials typically restrict entry and exit to such areas for at least two weeks to facilitate monitoring; localized measures, such as daily curfews and limits on most nonessential businesses, are also underway. Violations of restrictions are punishable by fines of up to MVR 5,000. Officials could amend measures at short notice, depending on COVID-19 activity. Authorities may enforce heightened measures in high-risk areas at short notice.

International Travel Restrictions
International arrivals must submit an online health declaration via the "Imuga" portal within 24 hours before travel and produce proof of having tested negative for COVID-19 using a PCR test taken within 96 hours before departure. Foreign arrivals must reserve accommodations at approved lodging establishments; split stays between facilities must be approved by the Ministry of Tourism at least two days before departure. Returning Maldivian nationals and permanent residents must self-quarantine for 10 days. Permitted arrivals must undergo a 14-day home quarantine and additional testing, regardless of their vaccination status. Authorities plan to lift the entry ban for passengers with travel or transit history to South Asian countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka from July 15.

Any person staying for over 48 hours in the Greater Male region must take a pre-departure COVID-19 test within 72 hours before leaving the Maldives. Authorities have also advised Maldivian citizens to refrain from all nonessential international travel.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm business appointments, deliveries, and travel arrangements, especially across Greater Male. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.

Resources

Ministry of Health (English)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Imuga Health Declaration Portal
Ministry of Tourism Split Stay Application
Maldives Police Movement Pass Application