Revised PCR Test Requirements by HPA for Travelers

Saturday 5th of March 2022

In the announcement published in the Government of Maldives Gazette by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) on 04th March 2022, effective the next day, changes have been made to the PCR test requirements. 

The changes are as follows;

Passengers entering the Maldives are NO LONGER required to present a PCR negative test result upon arrival if the individual(s) have completed the prescribed dose(s) of a Covid-19 vaccine that is being approved by the Maldives Food & Drug Authority or by the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use Listing (EUL) and at least 14 days have passed since. (Booster dose(s) are not required to be eligible for this exemption).

Tourists who spend their holiday in tourist facilities in inhabited islands are NO LONGER required to do a PCR test when departing from respective inhabited islands.

However, Work Permit Holders and Maldivians are required to do a PCR test for Covid-19 between 3-5 days of arrival to the Maldives. Additionally, children (above one year) who are not eligible for vaccination and individual(s) who have not completed the prescribed dose(s) of a Covid-19 vaccine, will still be required to present a negative PCR upon arrival to the Maldives, for which the sample for the PCR is taken at most 96 hours before the departure from the first port of embarkation.

All readers are encouraged to keep up to date with their vaccinations.