Featured

Maldives coronavirus cases cross 800

Published

5 years ago

May 10, 2020

Coronavirus cases in the Maldives have crossed the 800th mark after the island nation reported 45 new infections Sunday.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) said 45 new cases from capital Male were detected Sunday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the 6.8 square kilometre island-city to 791 and the national tally to 835.

Sunday’s cases include 20 Maldivians, as well as 25 migrant workers, including 22 Bangladeshis, two Nepalis and an Indian.

The confirmed local transmission clusters in the country now include 460 Bangladeshis, 279 Maldivians, 63 Indians, 10 Nepalis, five Sri Lankans and three Pakistanis.

Authorities managed to mitigate the spread of the virus and the Covid-19 respiratory disease it causes amongst the Maldives’ citizens and residents early on by closing the Indian Ocean tourist paradise’s borders, earning praise from the World Health Organisation.

But the disease is now spreading rapidly, especially within the large migrant worker community in capital Male. Authorities have ramped up relocating workers from the cramped up dormitories in one of the world’s most densely populated cities to temporary accommodation units.

An estimated 63,000 foreign nationals work in the Maldives illegally out of a migrant worker population close to 145,000.

Foreign workers in the Maldives, predominantly Bangladeshi and Indian men, are subjected to practices indicative of forced labour, including fraudulent recruitment, confiscation of identity and travel documents, withholding or non-payment of wages, and debt bondage.

As most migrant workers live in extremely poor conditions, a widespread outbreak amongst them could lead to large virus clusters, overwhelming the country’s already under staffed and strained healthcare system and making it harder for authorities to contain the spread of the virus.

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 835.

Three deaths have been reported and 28 have made full recoveries. Five remain in intensive care.

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 has 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 have also been shut.

Restaurants and cafes in the capital have been 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 is also in effect.

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, tourist arrivals saw a year-over-year decline of 22.8 per cent in the first 10 days of March. Officials say the number of tourist arrivals to the Maldives could drop by half in 2020.

All international airlines have suspended scheduled operations to the Maldives, as the island nation enforced a blanket suspension of on-arrival visa in late March in a bid to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Even before the visa suspension, the Maldives had closed its borders to arrivals from some of the worst-hit countries, including mainland China, Italy, Bangladesh, Iran, Spain, the United Kingdom, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. 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 were also banned from entering the country.

All direct flights to and from China, Italy, South Korea and Iran were also cancelled.

Cruise ships and foreign yachts were also banned from docking at any of the country’s ports.

With arrival numbers falling and the visa suspension in effect, 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.

Photo: Sun Online

Featured

Transformative wellness retreat with Jono Castano at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

Published

5 hours ago

August 3, 2025

m@ldives

In the heart of the Maldives, where turquoise waters meet powder-white sands, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is introducing an extraordinary wellness offering through a special collaboration with leading fitness expert Jono Castano and his premium fitness brand, ACERO. Renowned for his dynamic and holistic approach to training, Castano will bring his signature sessions—grounded in the ACERO philosophy of performance, lifestyle, and transformation—to one of the world’s most picturesque destinations.

During his visit, Castano will lead a series of exclusive sessions on 17 and 18 December, inviting guests to deepen their wellness journey. His Beach Boot Camp transforms the shoreline into a natural training ground, combining strength, endurance, and flexibility exercises with the elements of sand and sea breeze. Complementing this, the Aqua Fitness programme utilises the resistance of the crystal-clear waters to provide a low-impact, full-body workout suitable for all fitness levels.

This collaboration reflects not only Castano’s personal mission to inspire and empower, but also embodies the essence of the ACERO brand. The experience showcases ACERO’s core values of premium training, elevated lifestyle, and meaningful transformation—offering guests a unique opportunity to engage with the brand in an environment that naturally nurtures mind and body.

The partnership aligns seamlessly with the resort’s commitment to holistic wellbeing. In addition to its luxurious villas and exceptional service, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is dedicated to promoting physical and mental wellness through its state-of-the-art fitness centre and the acclaimed Iridium Spa. These facilities provide a sanctuary where guests can rejuvenate, restore balance, and elevate their sense of wellbeing.

Castano’s sessions are designed to motivate and invigorate, catering to both seasoned athletes and those simply seeking a revitalising wellness experience during their stay. “The Maldives is the perfect place to reconnect with one’s body and mind,” says Castano. “Bringing my fitness philosophy and the ACERO brand to such a stunning location allows guests to experience true transformation, immersed in the beauty of nature.”

A vision of barefoot luxury and refined elegance, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort blends striking tropical modernist architecture with Maldivian inspiration. Its 77 villas—each offering sweeping views of either the Indian Ocean or lush jungle—are enhanced by the resort’s signature St. Regis Butler Service. Guests can balance invigorating fitness routines with indulgent spa treatments or embark on private yachting adventures aboard the resort’s exclusive Azimut Flybridge.

For those seeking a harmonious blend of indulgence, wellbeing, and natural splendour, this collaboration with Jono Castano and ACERO presents a rare opportunity to elevate their stay. Both fitness enthusiasts and wellness-minded travellers alike can anticipate a transformative experience, guided by one of the industry’s most respected figures and his renowned brand.

Featured

Solo travel with purpose at Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah

Published

8 hours ago

August 3, 2025

m@ldives

Long before solo travel became fashionable, certain discerning travellers understood a profound truth: the most transformative journeys are those taken within. At Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, these seekers of introspection are not merely travelling alone—they are reserving an entire island to experience solitude, sanctuary, and the rare luxury of simply being.

Whether the purpose is healing, recalibration, or a retreat from the noise of everyday life, Voavah responds with five acres of secluded serenity in the Indian Ocean. Nestled within a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this private island offers more than just privacy—it offers presence. With no neighbours in sight and a dedicated team of 28 intuitive staff, each guest is welcomed with gentle, personalised care, entirely on their own terms.

The true magic of Voavah lies not only in its tranquillity but in the meaningful quality of connection it fosters.

For Those Seeking More Than Escape: Voavah presents solo travellers with a different kind of luxury—the luxury of space, stillness, and sovereignty. Here, the aim is not to retreat from the world, but to reconnect with oneself within it. Every detail is designed to be personal, purposeful, and curated with quiet thoughtfulness.
An Entire Island, Reserved: Seven bedrooms are spread across two private villas and a three-storey Beach House, offering expansive, unencumbered accommodation with no compromises and no intrusions.
Support, When Desired: A handpicked team—comprising butlers, chefs, marine biologists, and spa therapists—stands ready to offer whatever level of engagement is preferred, whether that be discreet companionship, insightful conversation, or complete privacy.
Wellbeing as a Way of Life: At the Ocean of Consciousness Spa, bespoke wellness experiences include sound healing, Ayurvedic therapies, and sunrise yoga sessions—each crafted to support inner renewal and reconnection.
A Yacht to Call One’s Own: Guests may enjoy private use of Voavah Summer, a 19-metre yacht available by day or night for manta snorkelling, contemplative journalling with the salt breeze, or silent moonlit sails across Maldivian waters.
Connection, On Their Own Terms: Whether through coral restoration dives with marine experts, intimate starlit dinners with the island’s chef, or simply unplugging from the digital world, Voavah offers connection in its purest and most personal forms.

At Voavah, solo travel is not about isolation—it is about reclaiming space in every sense: physical, emotional, and spiritual. It is a quiet return to the self, an invitation to move with intention and live with presence. For those ready to begin, the island quietly awaits.

Featured

Ada Ooi brings integrative wellness to The Island Spa at Four Seasons Kuda Huraa

Published

8 hours ago

August 3, 2025

m@ldives

This summer, The Island Spa at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa is set to welcome globally acclaimed integrative medicine practitioner Ada Ooi for a limited-time residency. From 9 to 20 August 2025, guests will have the rare opportunity to restore their nervous system, address underlying health concerns, and achieve radiant skin from within.

Ada Ooi, founder of the award-winning Harley Street clinic 001 London, will be bringing a bespoke menu of diagnostic-led treatments to the Maldives. Her integrative approach fuses Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), neuropsychology, and holistic skincare, offering transformative results for those seeking genuine and lasting wellbeing. The residency also marks a significant step forward in The Island Spa’s evolution as a hub for deeply personalised and results-focused wellness experiences.

Renowned for her diagnostic precision, Ada works to uncover and address the root causes of various conditions, including male and female fertility issues, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, skin concerns, digestive troubles, and emotional stress. Her method blends acupuncture, herbal pharmacology, tuina massage, and dietary therapy with contemporary neurobiological insights.

Set against the shimmering blues of the Indian Ocean, guests at Kuda Huraa will also have access to Ada’s signature MicroSculpt facial – a technique hailed by Harper’s Bazaar as part of the “Red Carpet League” of skincare. Trusted by celebrities and global wellness leaders alike, Ada’s revolutionary techniques offer a holistic approach to beauty and health.

“The modern traveller no longer seeks surface-level wellness,” says Didier Jardin, General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa. “They want science, soul and substance. Ada delivers all three. Her residency underscores our commitment to establishing The Island Spa as a sanctuary for true transformation.”

Treatment highlights include:

TCM Discovery (15 minutes, complimentary) – An introductory session to Traditional Chinese Medicine, perfect for first-timers.
INTEGRATV Health Consultation (30 minutes, USD 250) – A comprehensive diagnostic session resulting in a personalised roadmap encompassing nutrition, movement, mental health and more.
Express Acu-Facial Sculpt (30 minutes, USD 260) – A rapid lift and glow using scalp acupuncture and MicroSculpt techniques; ideal before an evening event or flight.
Bespoke INTEGRATV Health Recalibration (60/90 minutes, USD 380/480) – A customised session combining acupuncture, meridian massage, gua sha, cupping and infrared therapy to address physical and emotional imbalances.
Bespoke INTEGRATV Facial Resculpt & Nervous System Reset (60 minutes, USD 380) – A full-spectrum facial incorporating contouring, cranial acupressure, vagus nerve stimulation and LED infusion to lift facial contours and calm the nervous system.

Each treatment is informed by in-depth diagnostics and guided by Ada’s core philosophy: that true transformation occurs when mind, body, and skin are treated as an integrated whole. Nestled within the tranquil surroundings of The Island Spa, guests are invited to embark on a healing journey with lasting, resonant benefits.