Rasdhoo imposes a ban on tourists over virus fears

A. A. Rasdhoo has imposed a temporary ban on international tourists from entering the island as a precautionary measure to prevent a possible COVID-19 outbreak.

The travel ban was announced in a public announcement by the Rasdhoo Council.

It said that the decision was made following discussions between the council and operators of the island’s guesthouses and dive centers, in light of the 30-day state of public emergency in effect in Maldives.

The travel ban will be in effect from Monday, March 16 to March 31.

The travel ban imposed by Rasdhoo follows a similar decision taken by neighboring island, A. A. Thoddoo, and other residential islands which have guesthouse businesses.

Maldives, as a special measure during the state of public health emergency, has imposed a 14-day suspension on check-in of international tourists to guesthouses and city hotels in Male’ City, Hulhumale’, and Vilimale’; and a 14-day suspension on travel to or from any tourist resort to residential islands.

13 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Maldives, all of whom are foreign nationals who were either working or vacationing in resorts. Of the 13 people, five were from Kuredu Island Resort, two from Island Safari-1, two from Sandies Bathala, two from Kuramathi Island Resort, and two from Anantara Dhigu.