Minister: Tourism in Maldives to be recommenced only when virus is stopped

Tourism Minister Ali Waheed has said that tourism in the Maldives can only be recommenced once the Covid-19 virus fully stopped.

The Minister was speaking in the UNWTO’s Global Crisis Committee when he made the remarks. The Minister represents the region of South Aisa and the Maldives at the Committee.

He said that the main responsibility of the Maldivian government at the moment was the safety of all Maldivians before saying that tourism in the country can only be restarted when the virus is fully controlled.

The country was already preparing for “safe tourism” on that day, said the Minister before noting the importance of forming a guideline for the purpose with the help of the UNWTO. The Committee is also taken part by the International Civil Aviation Association, International Air Transport Association, Airport Council International, Cruise Lines International Association as well as the World Travel and Tourism Council.

The Maldives has so far confirmed 25 cases of Covid-19. As a measure against the spread of the virus, the Maldives stopped issuing on-arrival visas on March 27 and imposed travel restrictions on nine countries. Many resorts in the country have also temporarily suspended operations due to the virus.