The government of Maldives has banned travelers from China due to the rapidly escalating state of the global Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) emergency.

The travel advisory was announced by the Minister of Tourism, Ali Waheed during a joint press conference on Sunday.

Relaying instructions from President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Waheed stated that, with the exception of Maldivian nationals, the entry of any travelers who have embarked or transited from mainland China will be restricted as of 00:00 of Sunday night.

While direct flights from China was halted last week, the minister stated that Maldivians still residing in China have the option of returning to the country but will be directed to a quarantine facility first.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, also spoke at the press conference, stating that the seven Maldivians from Wuhan City have been evacuated to Delhi where they are being quarantined until tests confirm if they are infected or not.

The ministers further gave assurance of the administration's commitment to following all precautionary measures recommended through international guidelines, adding that these are the direct instructions of the President.