Health Protection Agency (HPA) has brought changes to the regulation by specifying those arriving on work visas from South Asian countries will not be required to be quarantined if they have completed the COVID-19 vaccine doses.
The government has previously banned arrivals from South Asian countries to the Maldives. The decision was made considering the COVID-19 situation of the countries.
HPA said the regulation stating work permit holders from South Asian countries must quarantine at a facility approved by HPA upon arrival, has been nullified. HPA stated as per the new amendment, work permit holders from South Asian countries can enter the country without requiring to quarantine if they have completed the vaccine doses. However, work permit holders who enter the Maldives without completing the COVID-19 vaccine must be quarantined at a location designated by HPA. The agency said, as such, travellers quarantined will be released 14 days after the period and after the negative results of the release sample.
Moreover, those arriving in the Maldives who are required to quarantine must inform the authorities one day prior to their arrival. While the regulation has been amended, according to HPA, five cases of Omicron variant have been identified in the Maldives. However, the cases were detected from tourists who travelled to the Maldives and discussions are underway to take further measures in response to the new variant.
The Maldives announced the first case of Omicron was detected from the Maldives on December 5 from a tourist who arrived from South Africa.