Maldives Targets To Be Amongst The First Countries To Have Vaccinated All Staffs Working In Tourism Sector

Via social media yesterday, the Ministry of Tourism revealed that over 8800 frontline workers (those who directly interact with tourists) have been received the first dose of the vaccine – accounting to 30% of the entire industry. This puts the island nation on track for its goal to be amongst the first countries to vaccinate all working in the tourism sector.

Whilst the country commenced its nationwide vaccination program on 1^st February, vaccination of tourism industry frontline workers began on 4^th February – limited to the capital Male’ City. At present, the program has been extended to over 40 resorts in line with guidelines set by the Health Protection Agency. The Ministry of Tourism targets to set at least 2 vaccination centers in each atoll whereby they will allow resort staff to travel to nearby resorts to get vaccinated.

The Ministry has also trained over 50 resort doctors on how to administer the vaccine.

The Maldives is heavily reliant on its tourism industry for income whereas the nation’s economy crashed hard and fast when the pandemic hit as a travel ban was imposed as a measure to curb the spread of the virus. Whilst we are on the road to recovery now, the Maldives have welcomed over 200k tourists since the beginning of the year whereas numbers are expected to further increase in light of the vaccination drive. 

(Photo: MoT)