Local guest houses will no longer require a permit from island councils to reopen guesthouses on inhabited islands.
The Maldives closed its borders to tourists earlier in March as a precautionary measure against COVID-19. The tourism-dependent archipelago has since reopened to tourists, with resorts being allowed to resume operation from July 15. Guest houses were allowed to resume operation from October. However, as guest houses were required to obtain permission from island councils to recommence operation, it posed challenges to tourism businesses due to lack of support from the councils.
The Tourism Ministry on Tuesday announced a change in the policy, such that the permission of island councils is no longer required to operate guest houses, effective from December 15. The Tourism Ministry said although council permission will no longer be required to reopen guest house, the councils and other authorities will be closely monitoring guest facilities to ensure that the guidelines set by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) are being followed.
