Ministry of Tourism has permitted 55 liveaboards to resume operations in the Maldives.
Resorts and liveaboards have been allowed to resume services in the Maldives following the reopening of borders on July 15. However, liveaboards require a special permission from the tourism ministry before resuming operations in order to ensure the vessels meet the safety standards set following the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, the tourism ministry revealed 55 liveaboards have been permitted to resume operations after fulfilling the safety criteria set by the ministry.
Furthermore, the National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM) has advised safaris and liveaboards to follow the instructions of relevant authorities to ensure protection against COVID-19. The association enouraged liveaboard operators to attain the permits before preparing to resume operations as there could be delays in the procedures that need to completed before requesting for permits. NBAM also urged liveaboard operators not to resume services without attaining permits.
Statistics show there are over 100 liveaboards operating in the Maldives although only 55 vessels have received permits to resume services. Meanwhile, 67 resorts have resumed operations in the Maldives since the borders were reopened on July 15. However, apart from the establishments permitted to operate as transit hotels, local guest houses and hotels have not yet been permitted to resume operations.
The government of the Maldives aims to record 850,000 tourist arrivals by the end of the year. The tourism ministry and the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) have been undertaking efforts to promote the Maldives as a safe destination for tourists.