Your comfort and protection is our priority
Travelling to Soneva resorts during the COVID-19 pandemic
Updated: October 23, 2020
To our dear friends, guests and partners,
We look forward to welcoming you back to Soneva. We would like to take this opportunity to share some updates about your safety, health, hygiene and what to expect when staying at a Soneva resort. Soneva assures you that your safety and comfort remain our highest priority.
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has recognised the efforts of the Maldives in implementing enhanced health and safety measures, in line with the WTTC global Safe Travels protocols, and creating a safe plan by rebuilding confidence among travellers and ensuring a coordinated approach in restarting the Tourism industry.
Click to read our full statements on our COVID-19 protection measures in the Maldives and Thailand.
Please see below a list of Q&A that you might find useful when booking or planning a stay at a Soneva resort now or in the future. Please feel free to contact us at any time if you need more information.
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What do you need before travelling to the Maldives during COVID-19?
In accordance with the health requirements of the Maldives Government, all guests travelling to the Maldives are required to submit their health declaration form through this link in the 24 hours prior to their departure to the Maldives. Furthermore, all guests must present a negative PCR certificate, and the test must be conducted within the 96 hours prior to departure to the Maldives.
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Is it safe to travel to Soneva resorts now?
Fortunately, all of our resorts are either private islands or completely isolated from the general public. As such, we have complete control over who we permit to enter our resorts. We have implemented some of the Maldives and Thailand’s strictest protocols in response to growing concerns from travellers regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus).
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What are we doing to keep our resorts safe?
Click here to read our full statement about our COVID-19 protection measures.
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Is Soneva testing its Hosts? And if so, how often?
Yes, our Hosts will be tested every five days.
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What are your cancellation policies?
We aim to stay as flexible as possible and until further notice we are offering a revised payment and cancellation policy for new bookings, for all resorts at all times (except over peak periods). This means that guests can book now for a later date, and only need to pay seven days before arrival. If you are unable to travel due to a restriction imposed by a Government, please contact our Reservations Team who can help you rearrange your stay. We are doing our best to support all guests and our loyal repeaters during this challenging time.
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What happens if I start feeling unwell during my stay at Soneva?
We ask that you please remain vigilant during your stay with us, and you immediately report any symptoms of the COVID-19 infection (runny nose, fever, dry cough and flu) to our General Manager, who can arrange for an immediate consultation with our resort nurse.
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How do I get to the resort safely?
Our reservations team will explain our transfers to you during or after your booking process. Please note that our transfers are on private aircraft and we sanitize the aircraft and boats after all transfers to and from our resorts.
You can read more here.
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Are there COVID-19 testing and quarantine facilities in Thailand and in the Maldives?
There are COVID-19 testing and quarantine facilities in Male’ and Bangkok. Our resorts and Hosts are well equipped to deal with all emergency situations including an outbreak of COVID-19.
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Who can I speak to in order to find out more information about your onsite prevention and management plans?
Feel free to contact our resort managers for more information:
Soneva Fushi
Abhishek Sharma - General Manager
E: [email protected]Diletta Guarino - Executive Assistant Manager
E: [email protected]Soneva Kiri
Elias Pertoft - General Manager
E: [email protected]Mohamed Faseeh - Executive Assistant Manager - Rooms
E: [email protected]Soneva Jani
Frederic Brohez - General Manager
E: [email protected]Fathmath Shaazleen (Shaaz) - Resort Manager
E: [email protected]Soneva in Aqua
Grant Ruffel - Manager, S/Y Soneva in Aqua
E: [email protected] -
Are the resorts still open?
Yes. During this time we will be making enhancements to our resort and facilities, as well as implementing new protocols to offer enhanced hygiene and sanitation measures.
The world is just starting to get used to a ‘new normal’ in the wake of COVID-19. Naturally, things are now a little different here at Soneva too, although our ethos of barefoot, intelligent luxury and rare experiences remains the same. The wellbeing and safety of both our guests and Hosts have always been our number one priority, as well as offering the utmost in privacy and seclusion across our resorts. I invite you to watch our latest video here to see what changes we have made for your return.
I would like to share with you some recommendations from Dr Lakshman, our resident Ayurvedic specialist at Soneva Fushi, who is also my own personal physician. Dr Lakshman has offered the Ayurvedic supplement, an immune booster, Andrographis Paniculata, to all our Hosts. Studies have shown it to reduce the duration and severity of upper respiratory tract infections, and its compounds are currently being explored by the Thai government as a possible treatment for COVID-19 – you can read more about this here. In India, Andrographis was also used extensively during the SARS outbreak. You should be able to buy some online or via your local Ayurvedic store but if you have any trouble sourcing this, please let me know and we can assist.
There are a number of other anti-virals which have been used in Ayurveda for centuries, including ginger, garlic, apple cider vinegar and honey, as well as turmeric (also known as curcumin) which is activated when combined with pepper. Dr Lakshman recommends incorporating these immune-boosting foods into your daily diet.
At Soneva, we are very fortunate that the remoteness of our three resorts means they are completely isolated from the rest of the world. With many countries now recommending that families and individuals self-isolate to halt the spread of COVID-19, we appreciate that your travel plans are likely to change given the severity of the virus and lock-downs in various countries. Our Reservations Team is ready to assist with any of your current and future travel plans, including facilitating private jet arrivals or private transfers to our nearby airports via our own Soneva seaplanes or Cessna aircraft.
We offer the ultimate in privacy and seclusion across all of our properties: our spacious villas have extensive private gardens and outside areas, with the space, solitude and peace of mind to enjoy life’s simplest pleasures, from feeling the sand between your toes or making precious memories with your nearest and dearest.
If you have any questions about any of the above, or if there is anything else you would like to speak to us about, please do not hesitate to reach out. I remain at your disposal, as do our General Managers across Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Kiri.
As always, thank you for your ongoing trust and support as we navigate these difficult times together.
Sincerely,
Sonu and Eva