South Asian work permit holders to quarantine at special facility in Maldives

Malé, Maldives – Health Protection Agency (HPA) on Thursday, announce that South Asian work permit holders travelling to Maldives will have to quarantine at a special facility established by HPA.

HPA announced that this is to take effect from July 7 onwards, as work permit holders will be allowed to travel to Maldives work. HPA previously banned South Asian work permit holders coming to Maldives, due to the worsening Covid-19 in the region.

The new regulations announced by HPA states that South Asian work permit holders must have a negative PCR test obtained no longer than 92 hours before departure to Maldives and that they will have to take another PCR test within 48 to 72 after arrival.

This is the first time work permit holders will be having to quarantine at a special facility.

Speaking on the topic, Quality Assurance Commissioner of the Health Ministry Thasleema Usman said the discussions to finalize the new regulations are currently ongoing. However, a decision has not yet been on which government will be paying for the quarantine expenses.

Although a decision has not yet been taken on the quarantine expenses, the PCR test will be done at the expense of the Maldivian government.