BREAKING: Maldives imposes travel ban on 7 African countries regarding Omicron variant

Post lockdown tourist arrivals in Maldives | Photo: Visit Maldives

Malé, Maldives – Health Protection Agency (HPA) today released a statement imposing a travel ban on 7 African countries with regards to the newly classified Omicron variant.

Effective Sunday, travellers from South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Eswatini, excluding Maldivians and work permit holders, are prohibited from entering Maldives. This includes travellers who were in the aforementioned countries 14 days prior to travelling to Maldives and those who have spend more than 12 hours in transit in the 7 countries.

Maldivians and work permit holders arriving from the 7 countries are required to undergo mandatory quarantine of 14 days upon arrival. Quarantines individuals will be released after 14 days upon producing a negative PCR test.

Travellers from the countries who are in the Maldives either in transit to the Maldives or arrived in the Maldives within the past 14 days must immediately do a PCR test.