Maldives lifts all restrictions for visitors
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(CNN) — The Maldives is reopening to all visitors next month with no restrictions.
A spokesperson for the tourism board has confirmed the Indian Ocean destination will welcome back tourists of all nationalities in July.
While a previous draft proposal indicated travelers would need to present a medical certificate confirming proof of a negative Covid-19 test, the island nation is instead opting to allow tourists in without prior testing or a mandatory quarantine period.
There are also no new visa requirements or additional fees.
At present, anyone with a super yacht or private jet can head there, but normal travelers will have to wait a few more weeks.
“We are planning to reopen our borders for visitors in July, 2020,” read an official statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism on May 30.
The statement went on to stress that guests would not be charged any additional fees, referencing reports of extra tourist visa charges and landing fees.
Ready to reopen
The Maldives has recorded nearly 2,000 confirmed cases and five deaths from Covid-19 so far.
Officials previously suggested the popular honeymoon destination would reopen towards the end of the year, but this has been brought forward.
The original proposal suggested incoming travelers would need to have a confirmed booking with a tourist facility with a license, but it seems this is no longer the case.
“For the first time in 47 years of tourism in the Maldives, we have experienced zero tourist arrival since this March,” before adding, “we cannot keep our borders closed for long.”
The Maldives welcomed more than 1.7 million visitors in 2019 and officials had been expecting numbers to rise to two million this year.
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