Back to Sunny Side – Travel during COVID 19
Ahh... finally after a long wait of exactly 01year and 02months, it's my time to travel back to Male’, Maldives. From the month of January 2021, I’ve started my job hunt to move back to Male’. Even though my husband can take me in under family visa category, I really thought it's high time for me to put my lazy idling mind back to full time work; basically, I’ve done few work-home stuffs during last year, but considering financial situation which I’ve faced during the pandemic period, I cannot take the risk of putting all the burden on top of my husband. So, after facing few interviews I’ve landed a job in a company situated in Male’. Well good things will come on your way if you have patients. However it took exactly one month to get arranged all my necessary documents for me to travel under work visa.
Previously Maldives Immigration (now which is under Economic Ministry) used to issue ‘Employment Approval’ for people who are travelling under work visa to Maldives. But instead of that now they issue ‘Work Permit Entry Pass’ for people who enter Maldives under new work visa. For us, Sri Lankans if you are leaving for an oversea job then you have to get approval from Sri Lanka Foreign Bureau, since I’m joining a new company the approval process got longer than expected.
PCR Test Before Departure
Well after everything is sorted out, when you receive your ticket details the very first thing you have to do is get the PCR test done. You should do this 96hours prior to your departure. My travel date was on 10th April and I’ve done my PCR on 8th April morning. Within 24 hours hospital released the report which I’ve collected it on 9th April morning. Nawaloka Hospital in Colombo is so easy to get the PCR test done. There is a ‘driveway’ where you can get tested without stepping out from your vehicle. You just need to give them your passport copy along with the ticket copy. They will enter all your details to the system and send you a SMS to your mobile once the test report is ready. They will also mail the report to your email as well.
The second thing you need to do before your departure is to fill out two online portals given by Maldives Immigration and Health Protection Agency of Maldives (HPA).
Obtain QR Code
Soon after you receive your PCR report, you need to go to https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/ and fill all the required information. It is very important to fill it because without filling it you will face difficulties in entering to the country. After you fill and press the submit button, you will get a QR code, download it and keep it in your mobile. That QR code will show you until what time it is valid, so make sure it’s valid till you enter the country. Or else you have to fill it again. You have to show this QR code to the airline ticketing counter when check-in your luggage. Then you have to show it to Maldives Immigration counter. Since all your details are there, it is easier to process everything and you do not have to carry papers with you. (But just in case carry a hard copy of your PCR report with you).
Register at HPA portal
The other portal by HPA is important only if you are home coroutine. Loging to https://haalubelun.hpa.gov.mv/ and submit your information within 24 hours before your departure. 10day quarantine period is a must if you are staying in the city of Male’. If you are staying at a hotel or a guest house then you do not need to fill this portal because you have already given those details in the immigration portal above. But if you are planning on home quarantine then you must fill this portal. Since I’ve decided to stay at my apartment by kicking out my husband (well my husband planned to stay out with one of his friend), I’ve filled this and submitted within 24 hours of my departure.
If you are travelling under your work visa to Male’, your company will arrange your stay at a hotel or a guesthouse during your quarantine period. Make sure you have all those before travelling.
Though it’s a pandemic era, you can still go to the airport three hours before as usual; if you have done online check-in then it’s easy and no need waste three hours at the airport. Colombo airport used to be a buzzing airport before the pandemic, but believe me, now it’s a dead cemetery. You will only see lesser passengers and lesser staff members. It's so dull. The plane was not that crowded also. If you sit on a two-row seat you will not get a neighbour, if you sit on a three-row seat then the middle seat will always be kept empty. I’ve sat on a two-row seat and the seat next to me was empty. The social distance measures are done properly by Sri Lankan Airlines plus the cleanness, health protection measures are adhered properly.
After 01 hour and 20 minutes finally the sweet view of Maldives folds before my eyes. After landing I had to wait bit longer at the immigration queue. The work visa queue was packed with all type of foreign workers, and to my surprise unlike Sri Lanka, all the immigration counters are buzzing with foreign visitors.
My husband was at the airport to pick me up. We’ve took a taxi and he dropped me at our apartment. Since I’ve informed HPA that I'm home quarantine, HPA called and checked on me after two days of my arrival. They asked me to get the PCR done after 10 days from their clinic. After that only (if its negative only) I can go to work. It is my 6th day at home quarantine. So, counting the days to get out.
For tourists who are travelling under tourist visa, please check with your travel agent for details or visit Maldives Tourism Ministry site.
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