President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih stated that the government’s attempts to re-establish the tourism industry is seen through results produced, as 95 percent of resorts have been reopened.

While speaking at Wednesday’s press conference, the president stated that 93 percent of those who work in the tourism industry have completed two doses of their vaccine and affirmed that all those who work in border control have completed their vaccination as well.

The president stated that after guesthouses were temporarily closed due to Covid-19, they have reopened and continue to provide their services and that 95 percent of resorts have begun to operate once again.

Over 660,000 tourists have visited the Maldives so far this year.

President Solih affirmed that Maldives has struggled like the rest of the world due to the spread of Covid-19 and stated that the nation was not equipped to face the pandemic. The president noted that the government’s main priority when faced with the situation was to increase the capabilities of the nation’s medical field and to lower the losses the citizens would face socially and economically. President Solih was happy to announce that the nation had managed to control the spread of Covid-19 and go back to a new normal by the grace of Allah.

Furthermore, the president noted that once again, the Maldivian economy is active, small businesses have commenced, citizens are able to return to their jobs and life is slowly going back to normal. He highlighted that the nation would only remain this way if the community comes together and completes their vaccination, to make the Maldives a country where all above the age of 12 are vaccinated.

In addition, he stated that offices are now open, along with cafés, restaurants, salons and other businesses. He also affirmed that restrictions to travel within the country have now been eased which has increased economic activities.

President Solih affirmed that exports have increased by 19 percent when compared with last July and imports have increased by 45 percent, increasing the state’s income by 14 percent up to this July. Furthermore, he noted that within the same time frame, income received from tax had increased by 23 percent.