Man arrested for refusing to get tested for virus, despite court order

Maldives Police Service, on Saturday, arrested a man in K. Dhuffushi who refused to get tested for COVID-19 despite a court order.

According to the police, the man, identified as a 46-year-old Maldivian had spread the word that he was infected with the new coronavirus within the island community, and had called the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to report that he was exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

HPA instructed the Dhiffushi health center to take samples from him for testing, but the man refused to get tested, and continued to refuse to get tested even after the health authorities secured a court warrant to force him to comply.

He has been taken into the custody of the police for obstruction.

The case is under further investigation by the police.