Following a persistent decrease in COVID-19 cases, the Maldives looks set to potentially move to the United Kingdom’s “amber list”.
According to a Twitter thread by journalist and COVID data specialist Tim White, the Maldives has a strong case for being moved from the red list to the amber list following a significant drop in cases.
Additionally, Dr. Farahanaz Faisal, the High Commissioner of the Maldives to UK, stated on Twitter yesterday there is no valid reason for the Maldives to remain on the UK’s red list any longer.
GISAID website has now been updated with Genome sequencing data as required by the UK. I believe there is no longer a valid reason for Maldives to remain on the red list. We also have low case numbers and extremely high vaccine rates compared to most countries. pic.twitter.com/Owsk5ZSAWy
— Farah Faizal 🎈🇲🇻 (@DrFarahFaizal) August 21, 2021
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) of Maldives had stated that the reason for Maldives being on the UK’s red list was due to issues in updating genome sequencing tests which show the spread of various COVID-19 variants.
Before and during the prevalent COVID-19 situation, the UK has been one of the top source markets for tourists arriving in the Maldives. However, as the island nation remains on the red list, travelers must undergo mandatory quarantine in a managed hotel upon returning to the UK, and take multiple PCR tests. Furthermore, only British or Irish nationals, or those with residence rights in the UK will be allowed to enter UK after having been in a red listed country in the last 10 days.
If Maldives is moved to the amber list, travelers will be exempt from the mandatory quarantine period upon arrival to the UK, granted that they provide a negative PCR test before arrival, take another PCR test on arrival, and complete a passenger locator form.
