Maldives Level 2 Travel Advisory Issued

A Level 2 Travel Advisory has been issued by the US Department of State for the Republic of the Maldives. 

This new ‘Exercise Increased Caution’ Advisory was issued on May 2, 2019, and is related to internal conflicts and the potential for violence in the Maldives islands. 

This advisory says terrorist groups may conduct attacks with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. 

And, attacks may occur on remote islands which could lengthen the response time of authorities. 

The Maldives is a tropical nation of 427,000 residents located in the southwest of Sri Lanka and India, composed of 26 ring-shaped atolls, which are made up of more than 1,000 coral islands. 

If you decide to travel to the Maldives: 

• Avoid demonstrations and crowds
• Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations, such as this Traveler’s Checklist

Separately, the Canadian and UK authorities have also issued travel advisories when visiting the Maldives. These advisories say ‘terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in the Maldives.’ 

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on March 29, 2019, that visitors to the Maldives should be up to date on Routine Vaccinations and be prepared for entry requirements related to the Yellow Fever. 

Additionally, both Canada and the UK have classified the Maldives as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. 

The CDC says visitors should get travel vaccines and medicines 30-days prior to departure because there is a risk of various diseases in the Maldives. 

Travel counseling sessions can be scheduled at Vax-Before-Travel. 

Relevant Links: CDC vaccination schedules, CDC vaccine price list, international travel alerts, and report vaccine side effects.