Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem has on Monday, ordered to conduct a criminal investigation into allegations of criminal misconduct surrounding the initial spreading of Covid-19 in the Maldives.

The order was issued to the police under responsibilities and powers granted to the prosecutor general under Article 223 (e) of the Maldives Constitution, which states that the PG has the power “to monitor and review the circumstances and conditions under which any person is arrested, detained or otherwise deprived of freedom prior to trial”.

The PG's decision comes after the government announced the circumstances under which the virus reached the Maldives. While it was previously reported that an Italian tourist that vacationed in Kuredu Island Resort had informed authorities after testing positive to the disease, authorities on Monday revealed that the man had stayed in the capital city for two days.

Noting that this was discovered during contact tracing, government's spokesperson Mohamed Mabrook Aziz said that he stayed in the city after being asked to evacuate the flight over Covid-19 like symptoms but that this was not informed to authorities. The Italian is to have gone to Universal's ticketing office as well; Mabrook stated that a total of 16 people are in self-isolation from Male'- 15 from Maagiri Hotel where he stayed and one at the ticketing office who is being tested after showing symptoms.

He was in Male' from 1-2 March.

The spokesperson also said that the matter will be thoroughly investigated and that required measures will be taken.

Hence, the PG's order is to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case to determine whether there is any criminal misconduct.

Although reports have circulated on social media that the Italian tourist who vacationed in Kuredu Island Resort of Maldives and tested positive upon his return, had been asked to evacuate the flight upon suspicions of carrying the disease, however, the relevant authorities are yet to confirm this.

As of Monday, the number of positive cases in the Maldives has risen to six, all foreigners. Four of the cases are from Kuredu Island Resort, while two are from Sandies Bathala resort.

Both resorts are on lockdown.