Tourist tests positive for Covid-19 after returning home from Maldives

Two islands were placed under monitoring on Tuesday, as a foreigner that visited both places tested positive for Covid-19 after returning to home country.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) announced that Joali Maldives and Raa Bodufushi have been placed under monitoring, adding that the measure will remain until contact tracing is complete, as per procedures.

Joali Maldives is located on Muravandhoo island of Raa atoll, while Bodufushi island is leased for resort development, also in Raa atoll.

While HPA revealed that a foreign national that visited the islands tested positive for Covid-19 upon return home, it did not reveal the person’s nationality.

Maldives has confirmed a total of 19 positive coronavirus cases since March 7. While 13 have recovered, there are four active cases in the archipelago nation as results of two foreigners returned after they departed from the country; they are being treated elsewhere.

While Maldives confirmed its first two cases on March 7, from Kuredu Island Resort, this prompted a criminal investigation into the initial spread of the virus in the country. These two cases are the only reported locally transmitted cases thus far, with the employees at the resort contracting the virus from an Italian tourist that was allowed to depart the country despite showing Covid-19 like symptoms.

Maldives suspended issuing on-arrival visas on March 27, and all Maldivians returning from abroad are being quarantined for a 14-day period since March 21.