Maldives Immigration has stated processing of tourists at Velana International Airport (VIA) can be fast-tracked. Immigration made the statement following the recent increase in tourist arrivals at VIA after the government eased travel restrictions.
The increase in tourist arrivals has led to changes in the new normal policy at VIA, with a high priority on enforcing the Health Protection Agency (HPA) guidelines. Immigration employees are tasked with confirming passengers have completed the required COVID-19 tests and other tasks under the new normal policy, which has increased the waiting time for tourists.
Speaking to PSM News, Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Ahmed Hussain said he is discussing means to decrease the waiting time with the relevant authorities, and that the online portal is also being redesigned to make it easier to use for tourists. He said Immigration is in discussions with the airlines on making it easier to enforce the COVID-19 guidelines, adding that airlines have a large role in passengers completing the necessary guideline-related tasks before arriving at the Immigration counter. The manual workload is also increasing the waiting time but that Immigration remains steadfast in keeping the processing time for each passenger within the standard 45 seconds, he also said.
HPA has placed COVID-19-related guidelines for passengers arriving in the Maldives at a time the government has re-opened borders for South Asian nationals.