Parliamentarians push to ‘take the risk’ and reopen economy

Some parliamentarians, on Wednesday, pushed for the government to take the risk and reopen the Maldivian economy, warning that an extended lockdown was not a solution and could result in severe economic repercussions. 

Maldives closed its borders to travellers on March 27, and with the emergence of the community spread in its populous capital Male’ on April 15, imposed a lockdown on the Greater Male’ Region and a nationwide ban on all non-essential travel.

The extension of the lockdown and the cease in economic activity has given rise to calls for an ease in the restrictions. Parliamentarians who attended the virtual sitting on Wednesday afternoon expressed similar sentiments.

Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Gafoor Moosa said that “locking Maldives from the inside and out” was not a solution to the crisis. He said the government needed to take the risk and reopen the economy.

“We need to reopen our economy. We need to reopen our economy and it is also a huge risk. But we need to take this risk. We must not wait until another calamity befalls us,” said Gafoor.

Gafoor said that he believed the situation in Maldives to be better than expected, but acknowledged that reopening the economy would produce “issues of concern”.

He said that he believed overcoming the economic repercussions of remaining under an extended lockdown to be far more difficult.

“I have the health authorities will consider this and take efficient measures within the next two days,” said Gafoor.

Feydhoo MP Mohamed Nihad, too, said that the economic repercussions of the cease in economic activity due to restrictive measures would worsen the situation in Maldives.

He called for the government to take necessary measures and reopen the economy.

Keyodhoo MP Hussain Qasim said that the situation in Maldives had worsened to the level that the MVR 4.2 billion overdraft facility granted from the central bank had proven insufficient, and the government had resorted to imposing pay cuts.

He said that it was clear evidence of the economic downfall.

“I want a plan to be put in motion on reopening the Maldivian economy as soon as possible, allowing the State to earn income,” said Hussain Qasim.

Hussain Qasim noted that the government made its decision regarding COVID-19 with counsel from health experts, and needed to seek their counsel again before reopening the economy.

He suggested that the geographical makeup of Maldives made it unnecessary for restrictions to be in place in other residential islands outside of the capital.

There have been some hints from the government of a possible ease in restrictive measures in recent days. Health authorities have been increasingly providing advice on adjusting to a “new normal”, and the Tourism Ministry recently unveiled a draft of its Safe Tourism Guidelines, designed to serve as a guideline on easing restrictions and reopening Maldives to tourists.

Maldives has confirmed 1,186 COVID-19 cases. 91 have recovered and four have died from complications.