Guesthouses no longer require permission of councils

Tourism Ministry has amended its policy so that guesthouse owners no longer require the permission of the local island council to commence operations. 

Previously, guesthouses were required to obtain the permission of the councils to start operations. 

In a circular issued yesterday, the Ministry stated that guesthouses and city hotels were no longer required to present a letter of the local councils stating that the council had no reservations against the opening the guesthouse in the island. The policy will be in effect starting from December 15. 

Guidelines and SOPs issued by the Ministry for the purpose of safety against COVID-19, are still required to be followed. Councils and the Ministry will be supervising whether these procedures are followed, according to the circular. 

The move by the Ministry follows complaints regarding councils not permitting the operations of guesthouses.