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Maldives extends coronavirus travel bans to cover UK, Malaysia

Maldives on Tuesday announced a ban on visitors from the United Kingdom and Malaysia, as the popular island nation takes a series of drastic preventive measures aimed at containing the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Mabrouk Aziz, a spokesperson for a government task force on the Covid-19 epidemic, told reporters in capital Male Tuesday afternoon that a travel ban on visitors from the UK will come into effect on Thursday. Visitors from Malaysia will be barred from entering the country from 6pm Tuesday local time, he said.
The ban extends to transit passengers as well.
“Any Maldivian returning from these two countries will be isolated for 14 days, as per protocol,” Aziz said.
The number of people who have died with the virus in the UK has reached 55.
More than 1,500 people have tested positive for the virus in the UK — but the actual number of cases is estimated to be between 35,000 and 50,000.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday urged Brits to avoid unnecessary social contacts, to work from home where possible, to stay away from pubs and restaurants, and to avoid unnecessary travel.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced on Monday some of the most far-reaching measures yet imposed in the region, with strict nationwide controls locking down all travel in or out of the country in an effort to stem infections of Covid-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.
Malaysians will be banned from traveling abroad, whilst foreign tourists and visitors will be restricted from entering the country. All Malaysians who have just returned from overseas will be required to undergo a health check and self-quarantine for 14 days.
The sweeping travel ban came as Malaysia reported 125 new cases of coronavirus on Monday, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 553. On Sunday, the country reported 190 new cases.
The UK is amongst the most important traditional source markets to Maldives tourism. In January, the UK was ranked as the fifth highest contributor to Maldives tourism.
Arrivals to the Maldives from Malaysia has also seen a sharp increase over the past few years.
On March 8, Maldives reported its first cases of the novel coronavirus, as two hotel employees tested positive for Covid-19 at a luxury resort in the archipelago.
Eleven more cases — all foreigners working or staying resorts and liveaboard vessels — have since been identified. All the patients are under isolation, being treated at designated quarantine facilities.
Maldives announced a state of public health emergency on Thursday, the first such declaration under a recent public health protection law.
The public health emergency declaration has allowed the government to introduce a series of unprecedented restrictive and social distancing measures, including a 14-day ban on inter-island travel of tourists, including for excursions and between resort islands.
Guesthouses and hotels in capital Male and its suburbs of Hulhumale and Villimale have also been shut down for two weeks.
The Maldives had closed its borders to arrivals from the worst-hit countries, including mainland China, Italy, Bangladesh, Iran and Spain. Visitors from three regions of Germany (Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg), two regions of France (Île-de-France and Grand Est) and two regions of South Korea are also banned from entering the country.
Cruise ships had also been banned from docking at any of the country’s ports.
All direct flights to and from China, Italy, South Korea and Iran had also been cancelled.
The island nation had installed thermal screening cameras at its international airports.
Quarantine facilities, including designated islets from the 1,192 islands that make up the archipelago, had also been established.
The global coronavirus outbreak is expected to hit the Maldivian economy hard, as tourism contributes the bulk of the island nation’s state revenue and foreign reserves.
The government has already announced several cost cutting measures, including a freeze on the hiring of new staff and suspension of non-essential travel by state officials.
Featured
Dive into Baa Atoll’s manta ray season with The Westin Maldives

Nature takes centre stage in the Maldives as manta ray season graces the protected waters of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, continuing until November this year. At the heart of this celebrated atoll, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort — a five-star holistic wellness sanctuary poised on the edge of Hanifaru Bay — invites guests to witness the mesmerising cyclone feeding phenomenon, where hundreds of manta rays glide and spiral in an extraordinary underwater ballet.
Just 40 minutes by speedboat from the resort lies Hanifaru Bay, one of the world’s most renowned manta aggregation sites. Guided snorkelling excursions, led by The Westin Maldives’ resident marine experts, allow visitors to encounter this rare natural spectacle first-hand. With over 1,800 manta rays recorded in the bay, the chance to swim alongside these graceful creatures offers a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for marine life enthusiasts from around the globe.
Beyond Hanifaru Bay, the resort provides access to more than 20 exceptional dive sites across the Baa Atoll, famed for its thriving reefs and diverse marine life. Among the highlights is Dhigali Haa, a protected submerged reef, or thila, distinguished by coral-draped overhangs, narrow canyons, and abundant sea life. Divers may encounter schooling snapper, fusilier, giant trevallies, eagle rays, and even inquisitive dolphins. Nearby, Nelivaru Thila reveals a labyrinth of coral pinnacles and ledges, home to moray eels, turtles, and reef sharks weaving through vibrant soft coral gardens. With over 250 recorded species, Baa Atoll offers endless diving rewards for enthusiasts of all skill levels.
Guests can also enjoy a variety of unforgettable ocean experiences without leaving the resort, from spotting playful spinner dolphins directly from their villa to using complimentary snorkelling gear and canoes. Those seeking more adventure can opt for jet ski rides, private snorkelling with turtles, sunset dolphin cruises, or traditional Maldivian line fishing. As part of the #PlayWell programme, the resort’s Marine Biologist offers insights into marine ecosystems, conservation, and responsible tourism.
After a day of discovery, guests can enhance recovery through the WestinWORKOUT® Gear Lending Programme, which includes the Hyperice Recharge and Recovery Kit, designed to soothe muscles and restore energy. For a deeper sense of calm, the Heavenly Spa by Westin™ offers rejuvenating treatments accompanied by sweeping ocean vistas.
As night falls, tranquillity awaits in one of the resort’s 69 spacious villas. Each promises a restorative night’s sleep with the award-winning Heavenly® Bed, featuring a plush pillow-top mattress, the soothing Sleep Well Lavender Balm, and a specially curated Westin Sleep Well Menu.
With wellness at its heart and adventure woven into every experience, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort provides a front-row seat to some of the ocean’s most magical moments.
Drink
Golden hour bliss with Zoe London and Giorgio Chiarello at Dhigali Maldives

This November, Dhigali Maldives will transform its iconic Haali Bar into a lively stage for music and mixology, as British DJ Zoe London and Italian Flair Bartending Champion Giorgio Chiarello join forces for an unforgettable sunset residency from 11 to 15 November 2025.
Each evening, Zoe London will take to the decks, delivering her distinctive mix of house, classic remixes, and uplifting energy to the shores of the Raa Atoll. With more than 15 years’ experience performing at venues such as Soho House and The Ned, as well as at prestigious events including the Formula 1 Paddock Club and festivals like Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds, and Latitude, Zoe’s sets promise the perfect soundtrack to golden hour in paradise.
As the sun slips beneath the horizon, guests will be treated to masterfully crafted cocktails from Giorgio Chiarello, Italy’s most decorated Flair Bartender. Renowned for his captivating performances and expertise in American-style mixology, Giorgio will present a bespoke menu featuring three classic cocktails alongside three of his own original creations, each prepared with precision and flair at Haali Bar.
Nestled in the heart of the remote Raa Atoll, Dhigali Maldives is an exclusive Premium All-Inclusive resort that seamlessly blends contemporary minimalist design with the island’s natural beauty. From overwater villas and beachfront suites to snorkelling adventures, fine dining, and rejuvenating spa rituals, the resort offers an immersive and refined escape. With its vibrant house reef just steps away, every element is designed for effortless relaxation and indulgence.
Together, Zoe London and Giorgio Chiarello will infuse the island’s evenings with rhythm, flavour, and artistry, creating an immersive fusion of music and mixology framed by the serene backdrop of the Indian Ocean.
Featured
Huvafen Fushi introduces soulful stays for rest, reconnection and renewal

Huvafen Fushi has unveiled a soul-stirring escape created for women who appreciate the power of pause. Whether bringing together a close circle of friends or seeking cherished solitude, this retreat has been designed to smooth the edges and awaken the spirit. Behind closed doors lies the quiet seclusion of Huvafen’s renowned two- and three-bedroom Pavilions, where privacy is paramount, barefoot elegance is assured, and time moves to a rhythm entirely one’s own.
There is little need to leave – unless by choice. Mornings may begin with floating breakfasts on the deck, sunrise yoga by the sea, or tranquil hours drifting in a private pool. With personal butlers, customised mini bars, private coral garden snorkelling, and candlelit feasts, every detail encourages guests to soften, settle, and reconnect with themselves.
Accommodation options include:
- Two Bedroom Ocean Pavilion with Pool – Overwater and sunset-facing, this private retreat sleeps up to six and features a unique indoor–outdoor pool that opens directly into the sea, ideal for dusk dips and long, starlit evenings.
- Two Bedroom Lagoon Pavilion with Pool – Bathed in morning light, this sunrise-facing pavilion offers an uninterrupted view of the lagoon. With space for six, a vast sundeck, and serene water vistas, it invites both connection and clarity.
- Three Bedroom Beach Pavilion with Pool – Positioned directly on the beach and facing the sunset, this expansive hideaway sleeps up to nine. Ocean views, a private pool, and generous indoor and outdoor living areas make it ideal for multigenerational escapes or milestone celebrations.
- Two Bedroom Beach House with Pool – A private sanctuary on the sand, this beach house accommodates up to six. Guests can unwind in their own pool, take in panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, and embrace a slower pace of life.
This is a stay for long conversations and easy silences, for secrets shared over cocktails, for saltwater swims that soothe, for laughter, solo sunrises, and the rare luxury of simply being oneself. Whether with friends, family, or alone, it is not merely a getaway – it is a return to one’s own tide.
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