Guesthouses in Male' Area will be permitted to reopen on Dec. 14

The government has permitted the operation of guesthouses in the Male’ City area from December 14 onward.

Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom made the announcement on Twitter. Minister Mausoom said that tourists arriving to these establishments, once they are permitted, are required to present a 72-hour negative PCR test. 

Due to COVID-19, guesthouses in the nation were forced to close down operations. Guesthouses in locations other than Male’ City were permitted to reopen on October 15. A total of 110 guesthouses were permitted to open with a total bed capacity of 2,202 beds. 

Yes it's happening. #GreaterMale' area hotels and guesthouses will be permitted to operate from 14th December 2020 (72 hrs exit PCR test required).
Thanks HEP Solih @ibusolih #TAGTeam #HEOC @HPA_MV
and @MoHmv. Now we can welcome 2021 in style.#TogetherWeCan
@visitmaldives

— Abdulla Mausoom (@Mausoom_Maus) December 7, 2020

Each guesthouse is required to have a focal point and a separate number of beds for isolation purposes, according to the Tourism Ministry guidelines. 

More than 86 islands in the nation have operational guesthouses with a total capacity of 10,000 beds. The industry is a source of income for 6,000 people at least. 10 percent of the tourist market is covered by tourists arriving to local guesthouses. 

The Maldives has received almost 100,000 tourist arrivals since it reopened its borders on July 15 following the virus lockdown.