Ministry of Tourism has revealed it has suspended the license of three guesthouses for violating COVID-19 guidelines.
In a tweet, the tourism ministry stated it penalised the three guesthouses during the ongoing inspection for compliance of accommodating tourists arriving from South Asia and adherence to COVID-19 guidelines. The tourism ministry stated it has given warnings to three other guesthouse operators during the inspections.
South Asian tourists are only allowed to stay at guesthouses in the Greater Male' Region for less than 48 hours, while guesthouses in the atolls are not allowed to accept tourists from South Asia, according to the guidelines published by Health Protection Agency (HPA).
Speaking to PSM News, Deputy Tourism Minister Assad Riza said the guesthouses were checked after the ministry received reports of noncompliance. He said the ministry has also received numerous reports of South Asian nationals staying in Maafushi and in Male' City and that many guesthouses are accommodating tourists from South Asia. He said the ministry will continue the inspections with the help of the Maldives Police Service (MPS) to ensure establishments are complying with COVID-19 guidelines and keeping the community safe.
Furthermore, 248 foreigners have been apprehended at the borders for carrying forged hotel booking documents.
The government stopped issuing tourist visas to South Asian nationals on May 13 due to the increased COVID-19 cases, and resumed issuing tourist visas on July 15.