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Soneva-funded lab at Maldives airport licensed to offer tourists coronavirus tests
A laboratory to test tourists for the novel coronavirus at an international airport in an ultra-luxury tourism zone in the northern part of Maldives has been commissioned.
Soneva, which owns luxury resorts in the Maldives, funded the set-up at the airport located on the island of Maafaru in Noonu atoll.
ADK Trade and Shipping was contracted to build the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) lab.
“The new PCR lab at Maafaru International Airport is fully commissioned and ready for operation,” ADK Trade and Shipping said, in an announcement.
“This project we undertook for Soneva Hotels took us 30 days to complete from ordering equipment, physical infrastructure construction to final set-up.”
Soneva currently runs two resorts in the Maldives: Soneva Fushi in Baa atoll and Soneva Jani in Noonu atoll. The world-leading luxury resort operator also operates luxury yacht Soneva in Aqua in Maldives, and Soneva Kiri resort in Thailand.
Despite a lab being established at the Maafaru airport, tests will be voluntary.
When the Maldives reopens its borders on July 15, there will be no mandatory quarantine or testing on arrival. Tourists will only have to complete a health declaration form.
But visitors with symptoms of the Covid-19 respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus or those travelling with someone who has similar symptoms will be tested at their expense.
Meanwhile, airport operator Island Aviation Services (IAS) is readying the Maafaru airport for international arrivals.
The Abdu Dhabi-funded international airport was specifically developed to cater to high net worth individuals who want to arrive there directly and travel to one of the ultra-luxury resorts in the atoll for their holiday.
But the airport lacked the required equipment, as well as customs and immigration capabilities to handle international arrivals.
Aviation authorities in Maldives are exploring the possibility of allowing private jets to directly land at airports other than the main airport, as the island nation anticipates luxury travellers to be the first to visit when it reopens its borders.
Velana International Airport is the main port of entry for private jets at the moment, but once cleared they can fly to other airports that can cater to private jets.
The government has not singled out the other airports being considered for private jet landing, but it is likely that the Maafaru airport will be permitted to cater to jets.
The coronavirus outbreak has hit the Maldivian economy hard, as travel restrictions and other preventive measures affect the country’s lucrative tourism industry, which contributes the bulk of the island nation’s state revenue and foreign reserves.
Before the pandemic, the government had been bullish about tourism prospects, targeting two million, high-spending holidaymakers this year after last year’s record 1.7 million.
However, only 382,760 tourists visited the Maldives before the country closed its borders on March 27. It was a 40.8 per cent decline over the 646,092 that visited the Maldives from January to March last year.
With arrival numbers falling, several resorts across the Maldives had been closed.
Tourism has been the bedrock of the Maldives’ economic success. The $5 billion-dollar economy grew by 6.7 per cent in 2018 with tourism generating 60 per cent of foreign income.
However, the government is at present projecting a possible 13 per cent economic contraction this year — an estimated $778 million hit.
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.
Eighteen more cases — all foreigners working or staying resorts and liveaboard vessels except five Maldivians who had returned from abroad — were later identified.
A six-case cluster of locals, detected in capital Male on April 15, confirmed community transmission of the coronavirus. Several more clusters have since been identified, bringing the total number of confirmed case in the Maldives to 2,501.
Twelve deaths have been reported and 2,158 have made full recoveries.
The Maldives announced a state of public health emergency on March 12, the first such declaration under a recent public health protection law.
The public health emergency declaration allowed the government to introduce a series of unprecedented restrictive and social distancing measures, including stay-at-home orders in capital Male and its suburbs, a ban on inter-island transport and public gatherings across the country, and a nationwide closing of government offices, schools, colleges and universities.
Non-essential services and public places in the capital such as gyms, cinemas and parks were also shut.
Restaurants and cafes in the capital were asked to stop dine-in service and switch to takeaway and delivery.
A nationwide shutdown of all guesthouses, city hotels and spa facilities located on inhabited islands was also ordered.
These measures allowed authorities to contain the outbreak.
The restrictions are now being eased in phases, with the third phase measures now active.
PADI-Certified NASA Astronaut Brings Ocean Exploration to COMO Cocoa Island, Maldives for Exclusive Diving Event.
Luxury private island resort, COMO Cocoa Island, recently hosted an extraordinary “Island Astronaut Camp,” offering guests a unique chance to explore pristine dive sites alongside NASA astronaut and aquanaut Nicole Stott.
The event included guided reef dives at the resort’s PADI Cocoa Island Diving Centre, where Stott, who is also a PADI-certified diver, accompanied guests in discovering the wonders of the underwater world. Participants were also treated to an exclusive starlit dinner with Nicole, adding a personal touch to the experience.
The dives, part of the COMO Journey of Universe Under the Ocean, were led by PADI instructors and took guests to two stunning reefs: Shambhala Reef and Bay Reef. Divers encountered an impressive variety of marine life, including blacktip reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, hawksbill and green sea turtles, moray eels, oriental sweetlips, giant clams, clark anemonefish, cleaner shrimp, bannerfish, lionfish, butterflyfish, and Maldivian anemonefish.
Shambhala Reef, known for its vibrant coral formations on a sloping reef top, is located between the resort’s arrival jetty and a nearby sandbank. Bay Reef, situated in a 12-meter-deep lagoon, boasts a thriving coral garden and coral propagation frames. Both reefs provided breathtaking backdrops for divers of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced adventurers.
As part of a captivating COMO Conversation event, veteran NASA astronaut Nicole Stott shared fascinating stories from her 104 days in space across two NASA missions. She discussed the rigorous training astronauts undergo and highlighted the surprising similarities between space exploration and deep-sea diving. Stott also spoke about her time aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and her underwater living experience in the Aquarius habitat, further emphasising the deep connection between the ocean and space.
Just a 40-minute speedboat ride from the capital, Male, COMO Cocoa Island offers 33 luxurious overwater villas, the PADI Cocoa Island Dive Centre, and holistic wellness treatments at the COMO Shambhala Retreat. Whether diving with PADI experts or enjoying wellness therapies, COMO Cocoa Island provides the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation in the Maldives.
Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, has confirmed the official opening of Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives on 1st November 2024, as scheduled. This underwater world-themed resort marks a significant step in the company’s growth strategy, becoming Centara’s third property in the Maldives and the fourth in its family-oriented Mirage brand portfolio.
Located within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts—a multi-island paradise offering exclusive access to two Centara properties—the resort promises endless fun for families. Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, the brand’s fourth Maldives venture, is set to open in early 2025. At Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, guests can immerse themselves in the resort’s expansive water park, featuring a lazy river, swimming pools, kids’ pool, and water playground. The resort also boasts a vibrant kids’ club, the innovative child-focused Candy Spa, and the renowned Spa Cenvaree, all designed to create lasting family memories.
The resort’s opening aligns with Centara’s “Future Growth” strategy announced earlier this year. With construction completed, the final touches are being added to welcome guests in the brand’s signature warm and gracious manner. This new property highlights Centara’s ongoing commitment to expanding its family-centric hospitality offerings while delivering world-class experiences in top travel destinations.
Be among the first to experience Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, where special introductory offers await. Guests can enjoy complimentary stays and meals for up to two children aged 15 and under, as well as free roundtrip speedboat transfers between Male airport and the resort. CentaraThe1 members will also receive an extra 15% discount. This exclusive ‘Me & Centara’ promotion runs until 20th December 2024, for stays between 1st November 2024 and 31st October 2025. Guests who complete their stay by 20th December 2024 will also receive a voucher for a complimentary return stay of the same duration between May and September next year.
Celebration
Celebrate Oktoberfest in paradise: Sun Siyam Iru Fushi hosts week-long festivities with exclusive offers
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi invites guests to join its vibrant Oktoberfest celebration, running from September 25th to October 2nd, 2024. Set against the stunning Maldives backdrop, this week-long event promises a memorable experience packed with festive activities, mouthwatering culinary delights, and lively entertainment. Alongside the festivities, an exclusive limited-time offer is available.
The celebration kicks off on September 25th with a Beachside BBQ, where a live band will bring the perfect Oktoberfest atmosphere to the shores. The excitement continues on September 26th with a Sundown DJ Beach Party, followed by the Oktoberfest Beer Festival at Water’s Edge Bar on September 28th, featuring live music and a performance by DJ Watte. On September 29th, guests can cool down at the Oktoberfest Pool Party at Fluid, complete with a special “Buy 1, Get 1 Free” beer offer. The festivities conclude with a delectable Street Lobster BBQ on October 2nd.
Exclusive Website Offer
In celebration of both Oktoberfest and the upcoming Halloween season, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is offering a special limited-time deal. Guests can enjoy up to 30% off on all villa categories, complimentary Guided Nemo Snorkeling, a 50% discount on seaplane transfers, 20% off on spa treatments, 10% off on watersports activities, and 30% off on private destination dining experiences. Additionally, two children (up to 15 years old) can stay and dine for free on the same meal plan as their parents. Exclusive discounts on Wine Cellar dinner experiences are also available. This offer is valid for bookings made by October 28th, 2024, for stays through October 31st, 2025.
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