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Universal Enterprises donates PCR machines for Maldives coronavirus response

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Universal Enterprises has donated two PCR testing machines to help the Maldives contain the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Health minister Abdulla Ameen received the donation Tuesday.

“Ministry of Health wishes to thank Universal Enterprises Pvt Ltd for the timely contribution of 2 PCR machines to strengthen COVID19 testing capacity in the country,” health ministry said on Twitter.

Health minister Abdulla Ameen. PHOTO/ HEALTH MINISTRY

It follows a donation in June of 20,000 test kits.

One of the largest conglomerates in the Maldives, Universal owns and operates the largest collection of resorts in the Maldives.

Universal has suspended the operations all of its resorts, as the Maldives reels from the economic impact of a series of drastic preventive measures aimed at containing the virus outbreak.

The group’s resort’s will remain closed until October.

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.

Meanwhile, the government’s best case scenario now puts total tourist arrivals for 2020 just above 800,000. 

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 3,506.

Fifteen deaths have been reported, while 2,547 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. Borders have also reopened.

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Chinese National Day celebrated with festivities at Centara Resorts in Maldives

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Centara Hotels & Resorts is marking the Chinese National Day Holiday Week with a programme of celebrations across four of its Maldivian properties: Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection, and Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives. Taking place from late September to early October, each resort is presenting a series of cultural activities, wellness experiences, and dining events designed for the occasion.

At Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, located within The Atollia and accessible by speedboat from Malé, guests are being offered a festive line-up that includes Chinese-themed dinners, poolside dim sum, and seafood feasts. The resort has also introduced a range of activities such as aqua aerobics, water polo, beach volleyball, craft sessions for children, and family games. Evenings feature cultural showcases, live music, karaoke, and outdoor cinema, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, a resort with a strong focus on families, has designed its holiday programme under the theme ‘A Holiday Full of Smiles’. With attractions such as a waterpark, lazy river, and dedicated kids’ zones, the resort has arranged Chinese breakfast corners, creative workshops, scavenger hunts, and beach games during the day. In the evenings, families are invited to enjoy beachside feasts, karaoke, themed dinners, and open-air cinema. Longan cocktail hours, ice cream specials, and seafood platters have also been introduced as part of the week’s activities.

Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, part of The Centara Collection, is combining cultural programmes with its focus on sustainability and natural surroundings. Between 28 September and 10 October, the resort is hosting sunrise yoga, coral planting, kite-making, lantern workshops, scavenger hunts, and storytelling sessions. Dining highlights include Asian street food nights, seafood barbecues, mooncake afternoon teas, and a floating lantern release under the full moon. Families are catered for with beach games, treasure hunts, and movie nights, while wellness enthusiasts can participate in spa workshops and treatments.

Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, an adults-only retreat located 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé, is offering a more intimate holiday celebration. Guests can experience themed dining with Chinese-inspired décor and a beach party under the stars, complemented by live entertainment. With its focus on couples and friends, the resort’s approach blends cultural flavours with a festive yet relaxed atmosphere.

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Early bird festive packages unveiled at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo

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The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort is set to transform the festive season into a wellness-inspired escape, offering guests an exclusive opportunity to combine celebration with rejuvenation. Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, the resort has introduced its Festive Early Bird offer, available for booking until 31 October 2025 for stays between 20 December 2025 and 15 January 2026.

The package includes a complimentary dining upgrade from breakfast to half board, with children under 12 staying and dining free of charge. Guests are also offered 20% savings on spa treatments, alongside experiences such as kayaking, a 30-minute professional photo session, and a programme of recharging activities. The Westin Family Kids Club provides younger guests with engaging activities, ensuring families can enjoy the holiday in full.

The highlight of the festive programme will be a Gatsby-themed New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner. The evening will capture the spirit of the 1920s with vintage cocktails, champagne, live entertainment, and a midnight fireworks display set against the Maldivian night sky.

The resort’s well-being philosophy, built on the pillars of Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, and Play Well, underpins the holiday experience. From restorative rest on the signature Westin Heavenly® Bed to fresh, seasonal cuisine at three dining venues and bars, every detail is designed to support balance and renewal.

In addition, Marriott Bonvoy members will earn an extra 20,000 bonus points when booking the ‘Celebrate Festive – Early Bird Offer’.

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Alila Kothaifaru Maldives introduces spacious villas for families and groups

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Alila Kothaifaru Maldives has introduced new two-bedroom villa accommodations designed for families, couples, or friends travelling together. These villas expand on the resort’s existing collection of one-bedroom pool villas, available in both beach and overwater options. The new additions feature an eco-minimalist design that combines sustainable luxury with a relaxed barefoot style, providing a sense of space and privacy for guests seeking connection or tranquillity.

The Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa is located on the island’s sandy shores and spans 265 square metres, offering a seamless indoor and outdoor living experience. Inside, it includes a king-size bed and twin beds, an enclosed bathroom with separate shower and bathtub, a spacious dining area, a living room, and a full set of amenities. The 97-square-metre outdoor area features a private pool, sundeck, and garden. A dedicated villa host is available to assist throughout the stay.

For those seeking even more space, the Boduge Residence offers 395 square metres of living area on a pristine beachfront with ocean views. It includes two bedrooms with a king and twin bed, a large dining table, a living room, a kitchenette, a maid’s room, and full amenities. The residence opens to a 160-square-metre outdoor space with a 45-square-metre private pool, sundeck with sunbeds and a wooden swing, and a poolside BBQ area. The Boduge Residence can also connect to a neighbouring villa to create a three-bedroom retreat. Guests here are also supported by a dedicated villa host.

To mark the launch of these new accommodations, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is offering complimentary round-trip seaplane transfers for up to four children on bookings of seven nights or more in either the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa or the Boduge Residence. The offer is valid for stays between 10 January and 30 June 2026, with bookings required by 30 September 2025.

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