The police on Friday arrested two resort workers who fled from their place of employment and traveled to Fuvahmulah City. Their actions were in violation of a ban imposed by the government on travel between resorts and residential islands amid the current COVID-19 outbreak.
The police said the two local men aged 30 and 29 left the resort by arranging private transportation and traveled to capital Male'. They then caught a flight to Fuvahmulah City later the same night. While the men have now been arrested and remanded into custody for 15 days, the police are investigating the case further.
13 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Maldives. All infected patients are either foreign employees or tourists vacationing in Maldivian resorts. As a precautionary measure to prevent further infection, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has banned travel between resorts and residential islands, as well as barred entry for those arriving from severely affected countries. The police have been taking actions against those who do not follow the government’s advice.
Earlier this week, the police arrested a person who swam from a resort in Addu atoll to Meedhoo island of Addu City while the restrictions were in effect. The court has issued a 15-day remand period for the arrested man.
Gn. Fuvahmulah
