The Maldives are back on the holiday menu for Britons looking for some sun-kissed autumn and winter fun. From 4 am on Sunday, October 25, travelers arriving in England from the tropical Indian Ocean destination will no longer have to quarantine for 14 days.

The announcement was made by UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and welcomed by travel companies. A spokesman for the Association of British Travel Agents described the news as "a bit of light at the end of a very dark tunnel for the travel industry."

Holidaymakers agreed with the sentiment. Following a summer spent in their own country, many UK travelers are itching to spread their wings and explore foreign destinations. The Maldives islands, with their sparkling white sands, crystalline waters, palm trees and endless blue skies, are a top destination among Europeans.

Tourism Revival

After so much doom and gloom during 2020, when the Maldivian tourism industry suffered the brunt of COVID-19 restrictions, the archipelago's addition to the British government's travel corridors list is a ray of sunshine. It follows other good news for the sector in recent months. Borders reopened on July 15, British Airways recently rescheduled its direct winter service to the Maldives and bookings for 2021 trips are on the rise, according to the luxury global travel company Kuoni.

Upon Arrival in the Maldives

The quarantine-free travel changes apply to citizens from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Visitors will have to complete an online health declaration form and prove they have had a negative Covid test within 96 hours of arrival. Temperature checks and screening procedures will be in place and suspected Covid cases will be isolated. 

Where Can Holidaymakers Go?

Visitors from the UK can travel to any of the 1,192 coral islands and take their pick of resorts. More than 90% have reopened. However, travel to and from islands with confirmed coronavirus cases is restricted.