Aviation Security Command Center AVESCOM says it would no longer accept expired id cards for passenger verifications during domestic travel.

AVESCOM said via Twitter that this change came into effect on Friday, 1st January 2021.

It also said that it would require a valid ID card, passport, or driving license of Maldivians, for verification during domestic travel.

Last month, AVESCOM had announced that as per the guidelines from the Department of National Registration DNR, its security checkpoints will accept expired National id cards of Maldivians, for verification during domestic travel till 31st December 2020.

Over the last few months, domestic as well as international air travel has picked up in the Maldives as authorities reign in the COVID-19 pandemic.

But locals are still expected to quarantine for 10 days if they travel from the Greater Male' Area to the islands.

Health Protection Agency HPA had revised quarantine guidelines recently which stated that government officials can make short-term visits to the islands from the Greater Male' Area without quarantining themselves.

It also stated that locals and work visa holders can travel to resorts as local tourists with a negative PCR test taken 96 hours prior to traveling.