The members of the Cabinet met on Wednesday at the President's Office to discuss the ongoing procedures to further ease restrictive measures currently enforced due to COVID-19.
According to the President's Office, the discussions focused on the ongoing preparations to reopen the Maldives' borders and welcome tourists from July 15th onward. The Cabinet also discussed the adjustments that all residents must make to their daily lives, as the country moves towards a 'new normal'.
The Maldives closed its borders on March 27 as a precautionary measure against the COVID-19 pandemic. While the situation in Maldives has now stabilized, the president during a press conference held Tuesday said the borders will re-open on July 15 and that local resorts will be allowed to open on the same date. The president said local guesthouses will be allowed to re-open from August.
President Solih said while more measures are being relaxed, the government will ensure that it has the required resources to test for COVID-19 and provide treatment. While the airport will once again be operational and provide services to foreigners, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) is prepared and on stand-by to provide services, the company said on Monday.
The Finance Ministry has warned that the country will receive less than half of its expected revenue, and the decline in tourist arrivals will decrease tourism industry revenue by 50 percent. Therefore, instead of the MVR 30 billion revenue which was previously anticipated, the new figure would be approximately MVR 15 billion, said the ministry.
