Maldives sets tourism reopening date for July
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The Maldives is reopening to visitors, but while anyone with a brilliant yacht or private jet can already head to the Indian Ocean destination, normal travelers must wait some more weeks.
And there's a couple of things they'll need to do before they can tripped.
The tourism board for the island nation, which closed its borders in March, has announced a phased reopening that expects incoming flights to its main airport terminal to recommence the following month.
"We are preparing to reopen our borders for visitors in July, 2020," read the official statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism on, may 30.
The statement went on to stress that guests would not be charged any extra fees, referencing an earlier version of the proposal that suggested extra tourist visa charges and landing fees.
Ready to reopen
The Maldives has recorded practically 2,000 confirmed cases and five deaths from Covid-19 up to now.
While the country has been shut to international tourists since recording its first cases, around 30 resorts have stayed open, with guests choosing to self-isolate here instead of return home.
Officials previously suggested the favorite honeymoon destination would reopen towards the end of the entire year, but this has been brought forward.
To ensure safety, the government says it really is issuing a "Safe Tourism License" to accredit tourist facilities that follow government legislation and specific safety requirements like having a qualified medic on call and holding an "adequate stock" of personal protection equipment.
According to the proposal, incoming travelers will need to have a confirmed booking with a tourist facility which has a license.
However, the finer details are at the mercy of change.
Travelers will also have to take steps. Are going to necessary to present a medical certificate confirming proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken at least 2 weeks before they arrive.
In a statement issued last month, Ali Waheed, the country's minister for tourism, described the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as "more devastating compared to the 2004 tsunami and the 2008 global financial meltdown."
"For the very first time in 47 years of tourism in the Maldives, we have experienced zero tourist arrival since this March," before adding, "we can not keep our borders closed for long."
The Maldives welcomed more than 1.7 million visitors in 2019 and officials have been expecting numbers to go up to two million this season.
Source: https://www.kmov.com