The British High Commission in the Maldives has announced the Maldives has not been exempted from the Travel Advisory issued by the UK.
In a statement released on July 4, the British High Commission noted the UK has announced a change to the Global Travel Advisory, which advises British nationals against all but essential international travel. As such, the high commission noted the UK has exempted 67 countries from the Travel Advisory from July 4, while also introducing exemptions for some countries regarding border restrictions with effect from July 10, meaning travellers from these destinations are not required to self-isolate on return to the UK. The high commission revealed the process for considering countries takes into account a range of factors, including the prevalence of the virus as well as the entry requirements, local restrictions, availability of transport options, quarantine requirements, and the capacity of local healthcare.
Stating the Maldives has not been exempted from the Global Travel Advisory or border restrictions at this stage, the British High Commission noted this first review is part of a gradual and ongoing process of opening up global travel routes and relaxing border restrictions, and will be kept under close review. It added the UK hopes to add other countries to the exemption list as the situation improves.
The statement also included remarks from the British High Commissioner to the Maldives Caron Röhsler, regarding the matter. The high commissioner highlighted the tremendous work done to respond to COVID-19 by the government of the Maldives, health workers and other public services directly involved, and the tourism industry. She stated testing, tracing and containment have been efficient, adding the number of COVID-19 cases in the Maldives has been steadily reducing and restrictions in the country have eased in recent weeks.
Furthermore, the high commissioner expressed hope that the Maldives will soon meet the UK's conditions required for an easing of travel advice and border measures. She also expressed gratitude to the government for providing high-quality and detailed information on the situation, and on plans to re-open to tourists from July 15 that were agreed with the tourism industry. She added it is vital that the measures in place to control the virus remain robust and succeed in ensuring the downward trajectory of cases continues, and is not reversed, as measures ease further.