Maldives restricts arrivals from UK, Malaysia

The Maldives has imposed travel restrictions on Malaysia and the United Kingdom against the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Government Spokesperson Mabrook Azeez made the announcement in a news conference today that arrivals from the UK would be halted from midnight March 19, while arrivals from Malaysia would be halted on 18:00 today.

Malaysia has had more than 500 confirmed cases of the virus with one death reported, while the UK has 1550 confirmed cases with 55 deaths.

The Maldives also imposed restrictions on parts of Germany and France, Iran, parts of South Korea and Bangladesh.

In Germany, travel restrictions were placed on the states of Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg. These states are home to major cities in the country such as Cologne, Dusseldorf, and Munich. In France, the regions under restrictions are Grand Est and Ile de France.

Maldive has so far confirmed 13 cases, all foreigners, of the virus.

It is estimated that more than 162,687 people have been infected with the virus worldwide. An estimated 6,065 people have died due to the virus.