Locals barred from spending holidays in resorts

Locals would not be permitted to visit resorts in the Maldives for holiday purposes, according to the Tourism Ministry which is implementing stringent measures against COVID-19 in the country.

A circular by the Ministry read that until further notice, locals would not be permitted on tourist establishments in the nation. 

Maldives reopened its borders after four months due to the COVID-19 lockdown and began welcoming tourists again on July 15, 2020. 

Under the Health Protection Agency (HPA) guidelines, tourists are to remain in accommodations where they made their bookings and are not permitted to travel between resorts and visit local islands.

Resorts establishments will have to be COVID-19 free locations under safe tourism guidelines. Employees at these establishments are also well-trained according to the guidelines and a sufficient supply of PPE’s are to be stored on the location. 

Employees traveling from tourist establishments are to complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine period. Employees are also barred from returning back to their islands after duty every day as is the case with some employees working in resorts in close proximity with local islands.

Safaris are also not permitted to travel with tourists from different resorts, but rather have to accommodate only tourists that make a booking at the safari specifically. 

The government has permitted 67 resorts to operate after the reopening. HPA announced last night that 15 cases of COVID-19 have been identified from tourist establishments. They include six tourists and nine staffers.