Vice President Faisal Naseem has observed the safety measures taken at Velana International Airport (VIA) to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The vice president visited VIA on August 28, accompanied by Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom and Chief of Defence Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal. During the visit, the vice president was briefed by the CEO and Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) Gordon Andrew Stewart on the enhanced safety measures imposed in the airport to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. In this regard, the vice president was briefed on the measures imposed in different facilities at the airport and the changes brought to airport operations following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maldives reopened its borders for international operations on July 15, more than three months after borders were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the reopening of borders, VIA has been operating under the new normal regulations for the safety of all passengers and staff using the airport.
Under the new normal regulations, a routine temperature check is carried out on all staff as well as departing and arriving passengers at VIA. Signs have been displayed in both departure and arrival terminals reminding passengers to practice social distancing, while glass partitions have been installed in the service counters to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. The airport is also regularly cleaned and disinfected.