Covid-19 positivity rate among tourists at 0.13 percent in July

The positivity rate for the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic among tourists sits at 0.13 percent so far in July.

According to the latest statistics publicized by the Ministry of Tourism, a total of 117 tourists had tested positive for coronavirus this concluding month, which saw 89,703 arrivals.

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 – 28 July 2021 was at 0.25 percent. The rate dropped to 0.13 percent between July 1 and July 28.

As Maldives tourist arrival count continues to surge with passing days, the government is working tirelessly to ensure Maldives is a safe destination for travelers, with many believing that the island nation is currently the safest destination.

Ministry statistics also indicate that 80 percent of resort employees have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus thus far, with 97 percent of resort workers having received first doses.

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.

With an ideology to promote Maldives as one of the top countries that can provide vaccination and to exclude the Maldives from the list of countries tourists are banned to travel to due to Covid-19, the ministry is to launch a campaign titled ‘3V Programme’ by the end of the third quarter or beginning of the fourth quarter of the year.

Minister of Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom has confirmed that the Visit, Vaccinate, Vacation Program, will move forward as scheduled.

The minister noted that once the citizens of the country have all completed their vaccination, the tourism industry will be permitted to utilize the remaining vaccines.

In his address to the public in commemoration of Independence Day on Tuesday, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih revealed that the government aims to have 90 percent of the eligible population vaccinated by August.

Authorities are currently gearing up to kickstart the last Covid-19 vaccination campaign or the "final push" across Maldives populous capital Malé City on Saturday