Maldives Announces Ban on Tourists Flying from India, Other South Asian Countries

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The Health Protection Agency of Maldives tweeted on Tuesday that starting 13th May tourist visas for visitors from South Asian countries will be temporarily halted

The island nation has been a major attraction for celebrities and commoners alike from India and was among the very few destinations that were open to Indian tourists

The Health Protection Agency of Maldives tweeted on Tuesday that starting 13th May tourist visas for visitors from South Asian countries will be temporarily halted.

The Maldives, which attracted droves of Indian tourists in the last few months, has shut its borders to India.

The safety measure has been put in place in view of the second wave of the pandemic in India and the rise in cases in other countries in the region. A curfew has been imposed in parts of Maldives and congregational prayers in mosques have been temporarily stopped.

The island nation has been a major attraction for celebrities and commoners alike from India and was among the very few destinations that were open to Indian tourists.

India has been the second-largest source market for the Maldives this year accounting for 21 percent of all arrivals. The islands have received over 400,000 tourists since the start of January. Russia has been the biggest source market followed by India, Ukraine, Germany, and Kazakhstan.

Last month the Maldives government imposed curbs on Indian visitors by banning their entry on populated islands. However, Indians could still visit the resorts. The second wave of pandemic however led to a drop in traffic from India resulting in flight cancellations by Indian carriers.