Ali Waheed: Borders will be reopened for the people, not a business owner

Tourism Minister Ali Waheed, on Monday, said that when Maldives reopened its borders, it would be done for the sake of its people and not to serve the interests of a business owner.

He made the remark at a National Emergency Operations Center press briefing on Monday afternoon, for which he appeared alongside Home Minister Sheikh Imran Abdulla.

Ali Waheed said that the Tourism Ministry, under the advisement of health experts, had drafted a plan to reopen the tourism industry in phases, which included areas of focus for each phase.

He said that Maldives would be able to reopen its tourism industry in July in a best case scenario, and in October in a moderate case scenario. But in a worst case scenario, Maldives will not be able to reopen its tourism industry this year.

Ali Waheed said that some industry stakeholders wanted to reopen the borders immediately, while others wanted to keep the borders closed.

He said that the government planned on reopening the borders, but only after controlling the outbreak and ascertaining the health and safety of the people.

 Ali Waheed described the tourism industry as “the fruit of the Maldivian economy” which sustained its people.

It is the people themselves who reap the benefits of the fruit, and it is also the people themselves who suffer when the tree no longer bears any fruit, he said.

“Therefore, when we reopen the borders, it will not be done to serve the interest of a business owner. It will be done for the sake of the people. Tourism remains the solution to the employment needs of the people, their livelihood, and their social issues,” said Ali Waheed.

He said that all tourist resorts will be given one-month notice to prepare before Maldives reopens its borders. And that the government will take all necessary action to ensure safety before reopening the borders.

Ali Waheed said that the COVID-19 pandemic was infecting both the people and the economy. He said that the economic impact of the pandemic was affecting the employment and pay of people in fields of work unrelated to the tourism industry.

The effects of the pandemic are being felt by all, he said.

Ali Waheed said that Maldives had no way of surviving without kick starting its economy. He said that failure to make plans for the long-run will plummet many to their doom.

Health experts have warned Maldives will likely experience a surge in virus cases in the coming two weeks, which will peak in the end of May.

Ali Waheed said that the government’s current focus was towards controlling the outbreak, and that will prepare to reopen the economy depending on how the situation changes over the next two to three weeks.

“I want to assure you, we will not reopen our borders for the sake of a dollar. We will not reopen our borders for the sake of a business owner. The borders will be reopened for the safety and security of the people, for their livelihoods. And when that day comes, everyone will be in agreement that it is time.  And we all need to work hard until that day comes and so that that day comes,” he said.

Ali Waheed said that the tourism industry should be reopened by making sure it belonged to the Maldivian people, and by affecting necessary changes.

He said that reopening the tourism industry depended on when the outbreak was brought under control, and said that the government hoped to be able to control the outbreak within two to six months.