Inhabited island V. Thinadhoo has been placed on lockdown after an Italian tourist holidaying at the island exhibited symptoms of COVID-19.
The inhabited island has a small population, and the island's economy is highly dependent on local tourism.
During a press conference held Friday night, Health Minister Abdulla Ameen said the tourist has been transferred to Farukolhufushi quarantine facility for testing. A contact screening is currently ongoing at Thinadhoo, said the minister. Until the results of the tourist's test come back. the island has been placed on lockdown, and no persons will be allowed to enter or get off the island, informed the minister.
Kuredu Island Resort has also been placed on lockdown after an Italian tourist who recently holidayed at the resort tested positive for COVID-19 upon his return to his country. A doctor at the resort has also been exhibiting symptoms of the virus, informed the minister.
The government has temporarily suspended all arrivals from Italy as a precautionary measure.
While over 100,000 people have been infected with the virus across the globe, over 4000 people have been infected in Italy. Italy records the second-most number of deaths due to the virus, with a death toll of almost 200.
The government has also placed entry restrictions on those arriving from China and parts of South Korea. The restriction on those arriving from China was imposed on February 2, while a similar restriction on those arriving from Iran was placed on February 26. The decision to barr entry to tourists arriving from South Korean destinations was announced last week.
Additionally, all inbound flights arriving from China have been indefinitely suspended.
