The government of Maldives has reached the decision to ban arrivals to the Maldives from two regions in South Korea and Iran, in line with the global protocol being followed against the fast-spreading Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

A press conference was held at the President’s Office on Wednesday night to update the public on the latest information regarding the global epidemic, where Health Minister Abdulla Ameen revealed that the decision was reached after taking the extent of the spread of COVID-19 globally, into account.

The World Health Organization (WHO) earlier warned that the epidemic might spread across the entire globe and the minister assured the public that Maldives is “keeping close watch” and monitoring the ever-changing situation of the globe due to the fatal infection. They will monitor other countries if required, said Ameen.

Highlighting that the two Maldivians who were quarantined after their return from China on Tuesday arrived from Beijing, Ameen stated that although they have not shown symptoms thus far, they will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine as part of the protocol being followed.

Ameen highlighted that up until Tuesday, 147,000 individuals have been screened at airports out of which 538 individuals were questioned and monitored accordingly.

Further, 37 out of the total were denied entry into the Maldives and deported.

Earlier, the Health Protection Agency of Maldives (HPA) cautioned the public from traveling to seven destinations where the disease is catching the air, including South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Iran and Italy.

Further, the agency has recommended a list of safety measures for travelers flying abroad in the coming days to take, such as seeking out details of the extent of the spread of the disease at the destination before traveling.

Although no positive cases have emerged in the Maldives thus far, the disease, which surfaced in Wuhan City of Hubei Province in China, is not even close to being controlled in the mainland.