Most Covid-19 cases among tourists reported in September

The greatest number of tourists tested positive to Covid-19 after arriving in the Maldives since borders were reopened, during September 2020, revealed the Ministry of Tourism.

According to statistics publicized by the ministry, a total of 9,538 tourists were recorded during September 2020, out of which 0.36 percent of visitors tested positive for the Covid-19 infection.

Further, the ministry noted that 0.26 percent of arrivals during August and October also tested positive for the virus since arrival.

The month of August saw 7,628 tourist arrivals, whereas 21,515 tourist arrivals were recorded during October.

35,759 visitors were recorded in the month that followed, out of which 0.13 percent of arrivals tested positive for the infection.

From 1-30 December, Maldives welcomed 93,823 visitors. The month saw the least number of infections among arrivals, at 0.07 percent.

Friday marks the 308th day since the first few coronavirus cases were detected from a resort, on March 7. Since then, a total of 5,191 foreigners in the country have tested positive for coronavirus. A majority of these cases are Bangladeshi nationals, followed by nationals from India.

Maldives halted issuing on-arrival visas on March 27 and nearly four months later, reopened borders for international travel on July 15. At first, tourists were only allowed to make bookings at resorts and liveaboard vessels, however, authorities permitted the reopening of guesthouses outside the Greater Malé Region during October. Guesthouses in the populous capital region, which is also the epicenter of the pandemic, were given the green light to resume operations in December.