Anantara Kihavah Resort, operated on the island of Kihavah Huravalhi in Baa Atoll, has been closed temporarily following 86 persons on the island testing positive for Covid-19.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has issued a travel restriction for the resort, with only departing tourists permitted to leave the island until further notice.

Spokesperson for the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) Dr. Nazla Rafeeq confirmed at a press briefing on Sunday night that a total of 86 persons had tested positive for Covid-19 from Anantara Kihavah Resort. Four of this number were confirmed to have Covid-19 on Saturday, with two others testing positive on Sunday.

Dr. Nazla revealed that most of the positive cases from Anantara Kihavah corresponded to resort staff that had contracted the Covid-19 infection, adding that all 142 contacts of positive cases identified thus far were also employees. Dr. Nazla added that health authorities were now working with the Ministry of Tourism to oversee the situation on the island.

The last few months have seen more and more positive Covid-19 cases being reported in resorts in the Maldives as the state of the pandemic worsens across the island nation. The HEOC and Ministry of Tourism have previously expressed concern and advised caution for resort operators and employees, imploring businesses and individuals to strictly follow existing Covid-19 health and safety guidelines.

Dr. Nazla had noted in a press last month that some resorts were refusing to test employees and guests despite them exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19, and emphasized the importance of testing as quickly as possible if persons are experiencing flu-like symptoms in order to prevent widespread transmissions.

While both the HEOC and the Ministry of Tourism have acknowledged that some resorts were choosing to disregard Covid-19 safety regulations, authorities also note that others are implementing social distancing and new normal rules among staff and guests to successfully safeguard their health against the virus.