Action taken against guesthouses for accommodating tourists from South Asia against Covid-19 protocols

With the suspension of another guesthouse, Ministry of Tourism has taken action against seven guesthouses in the Greater Male' Area for failing to comply Covid-19 safety guidelines.

These guesthouses are to have violated guidelines regarding accommodating tourists from South Asia. Following the worsening coronavirus situation in the region, Maldives halted visas for travelers from South Asia back in May. While tourists from the region can now travel to Maldives if they are staying at resorts, they can transit in guesthouses in the capital, under guidelines set by the tourism ministry.

And to ensure compliance of hotels and guesthouses, the ministry is conducting an inspection at all guesthouses in the Greater' Male' Region.

Following inspection, the ministry took action against six guesthouses on Saturday; three were cautioned while the operating license of the other three were suspended.

Tourism Ministry on Sunday announced that the license of an additional guesthouse was suspended for failing to comply with the protocols on accommodating travelers from South Asia.

Tourism Minister Dr, Abdulla Mausoom expressed sadness in having to take action against businesses, but said that "public safety and safeguarding tourism industry comes first".

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) clearly stated that travelers from South Asia would only be allowed to lodge in resorts until the 30th of July and may only transit in guesthouses designated by the tourism ministry. Plans are to reopen guesthouses to tourists from South Asia from July 30.

Guesthouse Association of Maldives (GAM) in a statement condemned the guesthouses for violating the Covid-19 safety protocols, noting that such actions could result in consequences. GAM welcomed the ministry's decision to take action against the guesthouses.