Location: Maldives
Event: COVID-19 in Maldives. Updates are being sent daily for the benefit of new registrants in STEP. New information is listed in Recent Updates.
Recent Updates:
- Qatar Airlines scheduled its last routine departure from Maldives on April 1, 2020. This is the last known passenger flight scheduled to depart from Maldives at this time.
- The embassy strongly advises those who wish to return to the United States to do so at the earliest possible opportunity.
American citizens who require assistance to leave Maldives are requested to fill out this information form to help the Embassy get in contact with you.
- Maldives has reported 18 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of April 1.
Note: Waiting and expecting to rely on an evacuation flight is not the best strategy. Evacuation flights can be difficult to arrange, and they are not free-of-charge. Frequently, evacuation flights cost more than commercial air travel.
The Maldives Ministry of Health has established a website, COVID-19 Local Updates, to track the status of the disease and provide updates. Families of individuals who are currently in quarantine and isolation facilities may contact the following hotlines to get updates on their status: +960-722-3541 and +960-729-0223. These hotlines are staffed from 9am to 11pm Maldives time and have English speakers.
If an American Citizen is diagnosed with COVID-19, he or she is likely to be placed in mandatory quarantine in a local government hospital. The Embassy is severely limited in its ability to visit individuals in Maldives.
On March 19, 2020, the Department of State issued a global Level 4 Health Advisory (Do Not Travel) advising U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel. Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and are implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice. Airlines have cancelled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or cancelled trips. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo has suspended routine visa services. For American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website https://lk.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/ for additional information.
On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of US personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19.
Actions to Take:
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit the U.S. Mission to Maldives Website, COVID Information Page
- For Repatriation Flight Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) please visit: https://lk.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/frequently-asked-questions-about-repatriation-flights/
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy – Colombo Sri Lanka
+94 11-249-8500 phone
+94 77-725-6307 phone (after hours emergencies)
- State Department – Consular Affairs
- 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
- Maldives Country Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
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