Tourism Ministry permits split-stays between multiple resorts

The Ministry of Tourism, on Monday, permitted split-stays between multiple resorts for tourists holidaying in Maldives.

Split stays were greenlighted at the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC), following consultations with the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

As per the ministry, the purpose of the measure is allowing tourists to spend extended periods in Maldives and visit more than one resort.

Reservations for split stays can only be made at resorts that fulfill all requirements under HPA's split-stay guideline.

Additionally, requests for approval of split-stays must be submitted to the tourism ministry two days prior to the travelling date.

Previously, tourists were permitted to enter the country without observing quarantine, provided that they remain at the establishment where initial bookings were made, precluding any movement between islands or liveaboards throughout the duration of their stay.

Holidaymakers arriving in Maldives are required to observe social distancing measures and wear face masks in accordance with HPA regulations. While all passengers will undergo thermal screening, individuals with high temperatures, breathing difficulties or other symptoms will be referred to the airport clinic.

Additionally, Minister of Tourism Dr Abdulla Mausoom recently disclosed plans to mandate tourists to present a negative COVID-19 test result to enter Maldives.

Maldives reopened its borders to international passengers on July 15, after nearly four months since the state halted issuing on-arrival visas on March 27.

Despite the lifting of restrictions, Maldives has noted a significant reduction in tourist arrivals compared to pre-COVID figures, with arrivals for July 2020 representing only 1.3 percent of those recorded in 2019.

According to the tourism ministry's latest projections, approximately 100,000 tourists will arrive in Maldives during the remaining months of 2020.

The restrictions on international travel significantly impacted Maldives' heavily tourism reliant economy. In mid-April, the World Bank projected that Maldives would be the worst-hit economy in the South Asian region due to the pandemic.

Overall, Maldives estimates a shortfall of approximately USD 450 million (MVR 6.9 billion) in foreign currency and a state deficit of MVR 13 billion in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the tourism industry.