How Maldives Transformed Resorts for Quarantine

Thursday 7th of May 2020

How Maldives Transformed Resorts for Quarantine

China built a facility in 10 days. The Indian government asked over 25 hospitals to set up isolation wards. And Maldives- the island nation built a hotel in just 10 days by around 50 workers and decided to transform its luxury resorts as quarantine facilities for COVID19. With travel restrictions closing doors for tourist arrivals, this was a great way to utilize the facilities. Hotelier Maldives writes how the government and resort owners were able to do this.

The minister of health is given the power under the Public Health (Protection) Act of 2012 to commandeer a building to convert it into a quarantine or isolation facility. If the building is commandeered under the Public Health (Protection) Act, the owner is provided compensation for the period of possession based on the prevailing rental rate in the vicinity.

However, according to Hotelier, “the resorts are apparently being relaunched as quarantine facilities not under the powers given under the Public Health (Protection) Act, but under the Tourism Act, and more specifically under the Island Lease Agreement – but with some ‘improvisation’.” Ministry of Tourism (lessor) is allowed to suspend the lease agreement and take back possession of the island with or without notice.

The government had come up with a creative solution by signing an addendum to the Island Lease Agreement. While the resort owner continues to be on the island and managing the resort as a quarantine facility, the owner is also paid MVR 750.00 per day for each room that is occupied. Out of some 150 resorts in the Maldives, only 20 or so resorts have so far agreed to be part of this program.