Dr. Abdulla Mauoom, Minister of Tourism, stated that the guesthouses residing in the greater Male region would resume their operations from 14th December. While presenting his statement, Dr. Mauoom articulated his gratitude towards President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Apart from the president, he also appreciated the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC), the Health Protection Agency (HPA), the Technical Advisory Group (TAG), and the Ministry of Health. After the closure of 9 months, the local tourism will come back to the capital.
The minister also stated that tourists have to submit their negative PCR test if they want to live at the guest houses of the Male region. They have to conduct this test 72hours before their departure.
The Government of Maldives stopped accepting guesthouse reservations in the Greater male area from 13th March. They took this decision after the confirmation of community spreading of Covid-19 came into the boards.
Other guesthouses situated at the archipelago resumed their functioning from 15th October. However, the state didn’t permit in the case of Male as it was the epicenter of the Covid-19 outbreak in the Maldives.
The ministry of Tourism informed the guesthouse bodies to conduct their operations adhering to the strict rules and regulations.
The establishments have to achieve authorization from the respective local councils. Once they get the authorization, they have to apply to the Ministry of Tourism, and that application should encompass the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure). It will give the authority a clear idea about how the establishments will implement safety operations.
HPA stated that wearing masks is mandatory when in public. This rule is applicable for tourists as well as locals.
The guidelines also state that there should be a specific isolation area at those establishments depending on the number of beds. The isolation area should be there for positive cases. There should be a flu clinic on every island along with the designated vehicles for transportation.
