Ministry of Tourism has stated guesthouses in the atolls will be permitted to resume operations from October 15 onwards upon fulfilling the health and safety standards set by Health Protection Agency (HPA).
Speaking at a press conference, Deputy Minister of Tourism Assad Riza said permits will be issued for guesthouses based on the level of compliance to the health and safety standards set by HPA. Assad noted guesthouses must pay special attention to the HPA standards to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, as tourists staying in the guesthouses will come into contact with residents of the islands. He added the COVID-19 taskforces established in islands also have an important role to play in ensuring the safety standards are met.
Assad further said the ministry will permit the guesthouses to reopen after ensuring the fulfillment of the safety standards and upon receiving the request from the respective island council. However, he noted guesthouses may not have the usual freedom in operations it had before, as special precautions are needed to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
Guesthouse operations in the Maldives have been suspended since borders were closed in March due to COVID-19. While resorts and liveaboards were permitted to resume operations upon reopening of borders in July, the government has not yet allowed guesthouses to resume operations.
The tourism ministry announced earlier this month that guesthouses in the atolls would be permitted to reopen on October 15. However, guesthouses in the Greater Male’ Region will remain closed.