China mandates foreign passengers from Maldives to provide Covid-19 negative certificate

The government of China is to make it mandatory on foreign passengers bound to China from the Maldives, to provide Covid-19 negative certificate.

A consular notice issued by the Embassy of China in the Maldives notes that the measure is being implemented in order to ensure the health and safety of international travel and reduce the risk of cross-border spread of the global Covid-19 pandemic in accordance with the requirements of the joint announcement issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the General Administration of Customs of China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 20.

The specific implementation measures for China-bound foreign passengers from Maldives to obtain Covid-19 negative certificate before boarding will be effective from August 21.

As such, all foreign passengers bound to China from Maldives are required to take a nucleic acid test for Covid-19 within five days before boarding.

The test should be taken at institutions designated by the Chinese Embassy in Maldives such as ADK Hospital and Tree Top Hospital.

Further, it notes that all foreign Passengers are required to apply for a Health Declaration Form to certify their Covid-19 negative status for the purpose of pre-boarding screening by airlines.

In this regard, foreign passengers have been urged to contact the designated hospital for testing, via email.

Those departing from outlying islands are required to contact the Maldives Police Service (MPS) for a permit to travel to the capital city.

The notice goes on to read that within 24 hours of getting the negative certificate and at least one working day prior to the departure of the flight, passengers must send a scanned photocopy of the passport data page, the certificate and signed Health Declaration Form to the designated email address of theembassyfor review.

Once approved, the certified form with an official seal will be sent to the passenger following which the passenger is required to print out and bring a hard copy of the certified form to the airport for inspection by the airline before boarding.

Further details have been made available through the embassy’swebsite.

The embassy reminded all foreign passengers to strictly abide by the prevention laws and regulations set by the governments of China and the Maldives when travelling, such as ensuring they are in good health, show no symptoms of the virus and present the Health Declaration Form with the official seal of the Embassy before boarding.

Passengers will be subject to legal consequences should they forge Covid-19 negative certificate to obtain the Health Declaration Form, the embassy warned.