NEW MALDIVES SPA REGULATIONS EXPLAINED

The Maldives’ Government has launched SPA Regulations by the name of “SPA (Registration and Operation) Regulations”. They were introduced and published in the government gazette on 21 February 2023 and its formal citation is R-74/2023.

A week later, the government brought further updates to those regulations as an amendment and published this First Amendment to the SPA (Registration and Operation) Regulations on 27 February 2023. The citation is R-81/2023.

All spas that are in operation prior to the introduction of the regulations are to regularize themselves within 90 days from the date of the regulations.

Scope of Regulations

The regulations are to cover the registration and operation of spas as a commercial activity in any part of the Maldives. They include independent spas run on inhabited islands, spas run as part of tourist guesthouses and tourist hotels, spas run on integrated tourism developments, tourist resorts, tourist vessels and airports.

Except for spas run on inhabited islands (whether as independent spas or those run as part of tourist guesthouses or tourist hotels) administered by relevant local councils, all other spa related requirements of the law (including those related to spas run on integrated tourism developments, tourist resorts, tourist vessels and airports) are to be administered directly by the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and not the Ministry of Tourism (MOT).

Instead of dealing with the entire set of regulations, we focus here only on those provisions that relate to tourist resorts specifically or are of general application inclusive of tourist resorts. References to resorts in this article include tourist resorts, tourist vessels, tourist hotels, airports, and integrated tourism projects.

All requirements of the Regulations are to be administered and enforced by the Ministry of Economic Development unless the regulations explicitly assign a specific function to another government agency.

Definition of Spa Activity

SPA is defined as a commercial activity that carries out any of the services outlined in (or similar in kind to those listed in) Schedule 1 of the regulation. In short, any Schedule 1 activity is a spa activity.

Prohibited Activities and Services

The following treatments, services, or activities are specifically prohibited within the premises of a spa:

1. Treatment of skin diseases

2. Laboratory tests and x-ray services

3. Treatment involving acid or machines

4. Removal of pimples or acnes, scars and moles and/or surgical treatment of it

5. Any medical or surgical service

6. Unauthorized invasive procedures

7. Use of expatriates without work permits

8. Providing food and accommodation within or at the entrance of the spa

9. Any activity prohibited by law or any activity that requires authorization of other authorities

Rules on Advertising

Activities carried out by a resort spa may be advertised subject to Schedules 3 and 4 to the Regulations. An advertisement cannot compromise the privacy and rights of clients. Furthermore, an advertisement cannot include people, words, phrases or signs that do not fit the acceptable societal norms.

Employment of Foreign Nationals

Foreign nationals may be employed at spas after obtaining approval in accordance with the Employment of Expatriates in the Maldives Regulations made under the country’s Employment Act. Every foreign national employed at a spa must possess a work permit issued within the quota provided to that spa.