A total of 193 guesthouses have been given the green light to resume operations thus far, after operations were halted due to the standstill on the country's tourism industry following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Ministry of Tourism revealed that by Monday, guesthouses in 29 islands of 10 outlying atoll have resumed operations.
Guesthouses currently in operation across islands include:
- Three guesthouses in Vashafaru island, Haa Alif atoll
- One in Fodhdhoo island, Noonu atoll
- Two in Dharavandhoo island, Baa atoll
- One in Finolhas island, Baa atoll
- Three in Kamadhoo island, Baa atoll
- Six in Dhiffushi island, Kaafu atoll
- Four in Gaafaru island, Kaafu atoll
- Three in Gulhi island, Kaafu atoll
- 12 in Guraidhoo island, Kaafu atoll
- Four in Himmafushi island, Kaafu atoll
- Nine in Huraa island, Kaafu atoll
- 18 in Maafushi island, Kaafu atoll
- 13 in Thulusdhoo island, Kaafu atoll
- Four in Mathiveri island, Alif Alif atoll
- Nine in Rasdhoo island, Alif Alif atoll
- 24 in Thoddoo island, Alif Alif atoll
- 12 in Ukulhas island, Alif Alif atoll
- Four in Dhangethi island, Alif Dhaal atoll
- Eight in Dhigurah island, Alif Dhaal atoll
- Three in Hangnaameedhoo island, Alif Dhaal atoll
- Four in Omadhoo island, Alif Dhaal atoll
- Eight in Fulidhoo island, Vaavu atoll
- Seven in Keyodhoo island, Vaavu atoll
- Two in Thinadhoo island, Vaavu atoll
- One in Thinadhoo island, Gaaf Dhaal atoll,
- Six in Fuvahmulah City
- One in Feydhoo island, Seenu atoll
- Two in Maradhoo Feydhoo, Seenu atoll
- 19 in the Greater Malé Region
The greatest number of guesthouses in operation are in Thoddoo island, and 3,610 beds are currently in operation at guesthouses across the scatter of islands.
2,026 of these beds are in Kaafu atoll, 32 in Haa Alif atoll, 24 in Noonu atoll, 154 in Baa atoll, 666 in Alif Alif atoll as well as 326 in Alif Dhaal atoll.
Further, 266 beds are in operation in Vaavu atoll, with 24 beds in Gaaf Dhaal atoll, followed by 50 beds in Gnaviyani atoll and 42 in Seenu atoll.
Since Maldives reopened borders for international travel on July 15, after a little over three months since the government halted issuing on-arrival visas on March 27, a total of 472 tourist facilities are in operation, out of which 193 are guesthouses, 139 are resorts, 130 are liveaboard vessels and 10 hotels.
39,697 beds are being operated across these facilities nationwide, 32,380 of which are being operated in resorts, 1,186 In hotels and 2,521 in liveaboard vessels.
Since border reopening, guesthouses in outlying islands were allowed to resume operations on October 15, and authorities initially decided to allow guesthouses in the Covid-19 epicenter, the capital region to resume once cases reduce. Guesthouses in the capital were allowed to resume on December 14.
PCR testing is mandatory for travelers making bookings at guesthouses, 72 hours prior to departure.
The government earlier publicized guidelines to be followed upon reopening of guesthouses, after discussions with island councils, guesthouse owners as well as industry professionals.
Under the guidelines, tourist guesthouses will not be allowed to operate in houses or buildings where locals reside, there must be a designated isolation location for mild positive cases among staff and tourists, away from local residents and there must be a designated place for quarantine of contacts among staff and tourists, away from locals as well. It was earlier established that guesthouses must facilitate quarantine and isolation locations in case the need arises.
