35 guesthouses have now reopened in the greater Male' region following closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic earlier in the year.

Statistics publicized by the Ministry of Tourism show that while one guesthouse in Villimale' has now resumed operations, nine guesthouses have been opened up in Male', with an additional 25 guesthouses in Hulhumale' also opening their doors for business.

The opening of these guesthouses free up 511 rooms with 1022 beds for tourists and local travelers. Five tourist hotels in Male' and one tourist hotel in Hulhumale' have also been opened for business, adding 426 rooms and 856 beds to the total statistic for the Male' region.

While guesthouses have now opened, operation permits are only released after considerations have been afforded to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, with special regulations and guidelines put in place by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). The first guesthouses to be opened were outside of the hard-hit Male' region, and 219 guesthouses have now opened for business in different islands across the country.

Permits for guesthouses to open were released after resorts and safaris were given the green-light to operate with the re-opening of borders in July 15. Guesthouses in Male' were allowed to open after 14 December, but guesthouses in other atolls have had permission to do business since October 15.