80 percent of resort workers fully vaccinated against Covid-19
23 ޖުލައި 2021 | ހުކުރު 08:56Covid-19 inoculation drive for tourism industry workers was launched on 4 February 2021
Covid-19 inoculation drive for tourism industry workers was launched on 4 February 2021
80 percent of resort employees have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus.
According to the latest statistics publicized by the Ministry of Tourism, 80 percent of individuals employed in resorts of the Maldives tourism industry received both doses of the Covid-19 pandemic by July 19.
In addition to this, the ministry statistics reveal that 97 percent of resort workers have received first doses of Covid-19 vaccination by Monday.
Latest vaccination updates released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reveal that 260,281 persons have been fully vaccinated nationwide, with the number of persons to have received first doses sitting at 320,991 by the end of Wednesday.
Authorities launched the Covid-19 inoculation drive for tourism industry workers on 4 February 2021. Priority is being given to vaccinate tourism sector employees who come in close contact with tourists, such as those working on liveaboard vessels, guesthouse employees and those performing guest service roles at various tourist establishments.
The Maldives has been making steady efforts to resuscitate tourism across the island nation, and began a large-scale Covid-19 vaccination programme for airport workers and tourism sector employees as well.
The ministry revealed that 0.19 percent of tourists that arrived in the Maldives between 15 July – 31 December 2020 had tested positive for the virus, whereas the positivity rate among tourists between 1 January – 21 July 2021 was at 0.25 percent. The rate dropped to 0.12 percent between July 1 and July 21.
The tourism ministry has since launched a special inspection programme to audit the compliance of hotels and guesthouses nationwide to the safety protocols and guidelines set by HPA and ministry. Throughout the inspection, so far four guesthouses have been suspended and three have been cautioned. All of the guesthouses on which action was taken, are located in the capital region.
Earlier the ministry launched the "I'm Vaccinated" campaign with an aim to share a positive message regarding vaccinations of staff employed in the industry as well as promoting initiatives taken to ensure the Maldives remains one of the safest travel destinations.
The ministry aims to make Maldives the first fully-vaccinated tourism sector globally. The stringent health and safety guidelines currently in place will pave way for this target to be reached, in addition to the added advantage of Maldives' unique formation which ensures social distancing.
At a time the ministry had asserted that the tourism industry is expected to recover and equalize suitably during July, tourist arrivals being reported so far this ongoing year have been steadily increasing. Maldives tourism took a hard hit due to the pandemic and the tourism-revival journey was slow into the beginning since borders reopened on 15 July 2020.
