The Guest House Association of Maldives (GAM) is working to introduce a special insurance package for local guest houses prior to their reopening on October 15.
The Maldives closed its borders to tourists on March 27 as a precautionary measure against COVID-19, and reopened the borders mid-July. Although resorts were allowed to open, local guest houses in inhabited islands were not allowed to reopen. After scheduling to open guest houses in September, the date was pushed back further due to the number of COVID-19 cases increasing in the country.
An official who spoke on behalf of GAM said discussions are ongoing to introduce an insurance package that would provide assurance to guests traveling to the Maldives amid a global pandemic. The discussions with insurance companies are very promising, he said.
Tourism Minister, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom in an interview given to AVAS earlier said the government is working to introduce an insurance package. The minister said there are a large number of tourists who wish to travel to the Maldives, and while governments are encouraging their citizens not to travel at this time, insurance coverage is usually not available, said the minister. Local insurance companies have expressed interest in introducing such a package, said the minister.
