The National Taskforce on Resilience Building and Economic Recovery has convened for its second meeting, in order to discuss the plans to reopen the Maldivian borders to tourists.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had previously made public the plans of the government to reopen borders in July, in light of the continuing success of the Maldives in bringing COVID-19 under control, and the necessity of reviving the national economy. During the taskforce meeting, provisions of the guidelines prepared by Ministry of Tourism on restarting tourism was discussed in depth.
Members of the three working groups comprising the taskforce, which are the working group on finance, the working group on economic recovery, and the working group on the social sector gave their input to the president regarding the proposals of the document. Items discussed include ensuring testing-capacity, putting in place precautionary social-distancing and isolation measures at resorts, and general safety measures tourists and resort staff should follow.
Following discussions, the taskforce collectively agreed to bring some changes to the document. A constant theme throughout the meeting was the necessity of ensuring the health, safety and security of visitors, Maldivian citizens, and resident expatriates, as borders are reopened.