The Maldives will open to tourists in July, but travellers will need to wait to find out the exact date. Courtesy Constance Moofushi
The Maldives will open to tourists in July, but travellers will need to wait to find out the exact date. Courtesy Constance Moofushi
The Maldives will open to tourists in July, but travellers will need to wait to find out the exact date. Courtesy Constance Moofushi
The Maldives will open to tourists in July, but travellers will need to wait to find out the exact date. Courtesy Constance Moofushi

Maldives reopening on July 15 without quarantine or mandatory testing


Hayley Skirka
  • English
  • Arabic

The Maldives is set to reopen to travellers on Wednesday, July 15, according to the country's Ministry of Tourism.

The Indian Ocean archipelago will welcome international visitors from next month, after being closed to outsiders since March. Emirates will resume flights from Dubai to Male from July 16.

Initially, hotels located on uninhabited islands and liveaboard boats will open. Guesthouses and hotels on inhabited islands will open from Saturday, August 1, unless for transit purposes.

All travellers will be given a 30-day tourist visa free of charge upon arrival and there will be no minimum stay required, but tourists must have a confirmed accommodation booking before travelling to the archipelago. Multiple resort stays are not allowed at this time and travellers can only use another hotel or guesthouse if it is for transit purposes when arriving or departing the island.

Rules upon arrival

When it comes to containing Covid-19, all travellers must fill in a health declaration card and wear face masks on flights. Hand sanitisation centres have been set up at Velana International Airport where travellers will undergo thermal screening.

No quarantine measures are in place, but some resorts may ask travellers to self-isolate when they arrive at their destination island. Travellers do not need to show a negative Covid-19 test upon arriving into the Maldives, but anyone with symptoms may be tested at the airport, at their own expense.

Local health authorities may also conduct random Covid-19 tests, but this will be at no cost to travellers.

Travellers should download the contact tracing app TraceEkee to allow authorities to trace any possible spread of the virus.

An earlier draft proposal of the country's new tourism regulations reportedly detailed that the Maldives would only open for tourists staying a minimum of 14 nights, with expensive visas and Covid-19 tests to be carried out upon arrival.

No 14-day minimum stay

Velaa Private Island, the Maldives.
Velaa Private Island, the Maldives.

Velaa Private Island, a luxury resort in Noonu Atoll, confirmed that previous reports of a minimum stay was false.

Elsewhere, at Soneva resorts, founder Sonu Shivdasani said his team were creating covid-free islands.

"We want to create Covid-free environments. We have a real-time PCR machine and we expect we will keep covid out of our island and that will allow our guests to interact, if they want to," explained the hotelier on a video call from Soneva Fushi in the Maldives' Baa Atoll.

Luxury resorts across the Maldives are set to set up their own coronavirus testing procedures.

At Soneva, guests checking in will undergo a test for Covid-19 then check-in to a designated isolation villa complete with a private pool where they will only be charged a half rate.

Coronavirus-free islands

Soneva resorts in the Maldives are set to be Covid-free islands, says owner Sonu Shivdasani. Courtesy Richard Waite / PrimeNewDevelopments.com
Soneva resorts in the Maldives are set to be Covid-free islands, says owner Sonu Shivdasani. Courtesy Richard Waite / PrimeNewDevelopments.com

When test results come back, guests can move to their chosen accommodation. All guests will be retested on day 5 and staff will also be tested before entering service to allow the resorts to be a "mostly mask-free environment," said Shivdasani. Any guest that tests positive for the virus will be moved back to the isolation villa, but no additional charges will be levied. The resort also has Covid-19 trained nurses on standby to monitor guests who have symptoms.

Known for its high-end luxury resorts and overwater villas, the Maldives relies on tourism for 40 per cent of its GDP, so authorities have been focused on getting the return of tourism right.

The country emerged from strict lockdown measures on Monday, June 15 when locals were allowed to venture out of their homes without a permit for the first time since March.  Schools, mosques and offices across the island are closed, but will reopen in July.

Travellers remain keen to visit

The Maldives' reputation for being somewhere special could help boost tourism as tourists look to travel somewhere unique after months of lockdown. Courtesy Velaa Private Island
The Maldives' reputation for being somewhere special could help boost tourism as tourists look to travel somewhere unique after months of lockdown. Courtesy Velaa Private Island

According to information from Kuoni, a UK-based travel agency, bookings for the Maldives for 2021 are outperforming every other destination that they sell.

Interest at Soneva reflects this with Shivdasani revealing that both resorts have more summer bookings this year, than the same time last year. "At Soneva Fushi, we have had 135 per cent more enquiries in the first two weeks of June this year than we did last year," added the hotelier.

The paradise nation's seclusion and its reputation being somewhere truly unique could be helping to drive bookings, as people who have missed out on holidays this year look to go somewhere special next year.

Earlier this month, the Maldives announced it was gearing up to reopen. In a paradigmatic Maldivian video (think luxury yachts, swaying palm trees and pristine beaches) Ali Waheed, Minister of Tourism, walked barefoot along a beach.

Stopping to retrieve a coconut, he sits down to work at what is very likely the most beautiful socially distanced workspace in the world.

“It all started in 1972,” says the video voice-over. “It will hopefully start again in July 2020.”

While Europe remains the largest inbound tourism market, the country is also a favourite with travellers from the Middle East. In 2019, the Maldives' Ministry of Tourism said 60,003 tourists from this region visited the archipelago.

Keane on …

Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League bid: “They’re great. With the attacking force they have, for me, they’re certainly one of the favourites. You look at the teams left in it - they’re capable of scoring against anybody at any given time. Defensively they’ve been good, so I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t go on and win it.”

Mohamed Salah’s debut campaign at Anfield: “Unbelievable. He’s been phenomenal. You can name the front three, but for him on a personal level, he’s been unreal. He’s been great to watch and hopefully he can continue now until the end of the season - which I’m sure he will, because he’s been in fine form. He’s been incredible this season.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”

Shipping%20and%20banking%20
%3Cp%3EThe%20sixth%20sanctions%20package%20will%20also%20see%20European%20insurers%20banned%20from%20covering%20Russian%20shipping%2C%20more%20individuals%20added%20to%20the%20EU's%20sanctions%20list%20and%20Russia's%20Sberbank%20cut%20off%20from%20international%20payments%20system%20Swift.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Subscribe to Beyond the Headlines
UAE-based players

Goodlands Riders: Jamshaid Butt, Ali Abid, JD Mahesh, Vibhor Shahi, Faizan Asif, Nadeem Rahim

Rose Hill Warriors: Faraz Sheikh, Ashok Kumar, Thabreez Ali, Janaka Chathuranga, Muzammil Afridi, Ameer Hamza

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Wednesday and the pair embraced but he failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

 

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)

Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm) 
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm) 
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm) 
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn  (4.30pm) 
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm) 
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)

Sunday, May 17

Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)

Monday, May 18

Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)

AndhaDhun

Director: Sriram Raghavan

Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18

Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan

Rating: 3.5/5

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

Other key dates
  • Finals draw: December 2
  • Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
  • Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
  • Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
A new relationship with the old country

Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates

The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.

ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.

ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.

DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.

Signed

Geoffrey Arthur  Sheikh Zayed

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.3-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E299hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E420Nm%20at%202%2C750rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E12.4L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh157%2C395%20(XLS)%3B%20Dh199%2C395%20(Limited)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A