COVID19- What’s Happening in Maldives
Monday 23rd of March 2020
COVID19- What’s Happening in Maldives
On 7th of March, the Maldives confirmed its first cases of the virus, and placed two of its island resorts (Kuredu Resort and Summer Island resort) under lockdown, as authorities conducted further tests to try to limit the spread of the disease. It was believed that the disease was caught from an Italian tourist who was tested positive.
3 days following the first 2 cases, the islands resorts of Kuredu, Vilamendhoo, Batalaa and Kuramathi Island were placed under temporary quarantine and schools were closed as a precaution.
As of 16th March, there were 13 positive cases of coronavirus in the country. The government had declared a public health emergency on 12th March. All government offices were closed down and people were instructed to stay indoors unless necessary. For 2 weeks, all universities, colleges and other academic institutions were required to temporarily suspend all activities in campus.
Along with a temporary ban on travel from resorts to inhabited countries, check-ins to guesthouses and hotels were banned in Male, Hulhumale and Vilimale. On 17th March, police arrested an employee mid-swim in an attempt to flee to Meedhoo, Seenu Atoll from a nearby resort. A local man who disembarked from a safari has also been arrested for violating restrictive measures imposed on the vessel.
On 21st March, a patient who previously tested positive for COVID19 and was isolated at Velidhoo Isolation facility, had recovered. According to the travel advisory updated by Maldives Immigration on the same day, all passengers and crew with travel history to Mainland China, Iran, regions of South Korea, Italy, Bangladesh, Spain, regions of France, regions of Germany, Malaysia, United Kingdom and Sri Lanka within the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter or transit through Maldives.
Ministry of Tourism announced that 10 local resorts have been transformed as quarantine facilities with a total bed capacity of 2,285 and an estimated 1158 rooms. Resorts in the country have even temporarily suspended operations including Amilla Fushi and Kuramathi Island.
Currently, out of 13 total cases reported in Maldives, there were no deaths and 2 have recovered, making it 10 active cases in the island nation. The Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives Zhang Lizhong has commended Maldives' efforts against the global COVID-19 pandemic.