Ministry of Tourism has approved 61 guesthouses to reopen and resume their services.

The guesthouses in the country were closed along with its borders amid the COVID-19 pandemic on 27 March 2020. And while the borders were reopened on 15 July 2020, the guesthouses remained closed until 15 October.

Statistics from the Tourism Ministry show that 61 guesthouses from 16 islands including Addu City and Fuvahmulah City, have been approved to reopen as of today.

So far, the highest number of guesthouses have been reopened in Kaafu Atoll Maafushi and Huraa along with the Alifu Alifu Atoll. With the newly approved guesthouses, the total tourist beds in service is at 1,427.

Islands approved for guesthouse reopening:

  • Ten Guesthouses in K. Maafushi
  • Nine Guesthouses in A.A. Thoddoo
  • Eight Guesthouses in K. Huraa
  • Six Guesthouses in A.A. Ukulhas
  • Five Guesthouses in Vaavu Fulidhoo
  • Four Guesthouses in A.A. Rasdhoo
  • Three Guesthouses in K. Thulusdhoo
  • Three Guesthouses in K. Guraidhoo
  • Three Guesthouses in A.A. Mathiveri
  • Two Guesthouses in Fuvahmulah City
  • Two Guesthouses in K. Hinmafushi
  • Two Guesthouses in V. Thinadhoo
  • One Guesthouse in K. Gulhi
  • One Guesthouse in Maradhoo-Feydhoo at Addu City
  • One Guesthouse in Feydhoo at Addu City
  • One Guesthouse in N. Fonadhoo

While the guesthouses have been permitted to reopen, both guests and the general public on these are required by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to wear masks in public.

The islands are also required to have both a quarantine facility and an isolation facility to be qualified to reopen guesthouses. The guesthouse are also required to have rooms specialized for isolation.