Maldives ban on tourist arrivals

The Maldives are banning all tourist arrivals from midnight on Friday, March 27.

An announcement from the president’s office said that on-arrival visas would be suspended from midnight of March 27 but exceptions would be made for individuals with special permission like diplomats, government officials, and contract workers.

Howard Brohier, general manager of Diethelm Travel Maldives, said this decision was inevitable, due to the 13 infected foreigner cases – of which eight have recovered – in the island nation.

Over 50 resorts have either closed their doors or are about to. For example, the country’s largest resort owner with eight properties, Crown & Champa Resorts, has indicated they will be shutting from April, with a reopening date set for end-June. The group earlier announced plans to open its ninth resort, Kagi Maldives Spa Island, later this year.

MMP
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