Regulations have been changed so that even Maldivians cannot return to the country without a negative PCR test and those who are coming to the Male’ City area would not have to quarantine.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) today said that Maldivians and those coming on work visa to the Maldives from 20 December 2020 are required to have negative result on a PCR test. Children under one-year is exempt from this rule.

The same group of people also are no longer required to go into quarantine however, they are advised to wear masks and stay indoors for ten days.

With this change, those in quarantine in the Male’ area are going get PCR tests and released upon a negative result according to the HPA.

However, those who come to the Maldives and go to the islands, along with resort workers, health workers, educators and those who work at detention facilities are still required to quarantine for ten days and would be released after testing after the ten-day quarantine.

The latest ease of COVID-19 restrictions have also lifted the requirement of a PCR test to travel from the capital to the atolls. HPA said that they will be taking action against those who violate the regulations among those who travel to the islands on short visits and other needs.