Random sampling for COVID-19 at tourist establishments

Random sampling for COVID-19 are to commence at tourist establishments in the Maldives, according to the Tourism Minister Dr. Abdulla Mausoom. 

The Minister said that random samples of tourist establishment workers were to be commenced as COVID-19 cases among resort workers keep on increasing. Some tourists on the local island of Maafushi, home to a number of guesthouses, have also recently tested positive for the virus. 

With the reintroduction of split stays, tourists are now free to travel across the nation in every type of tourist establishment. Tourists are however, barred from traveling to the capital Male’ City. 

A negligence case brought against a resort for failing to provide medical attention to a staffer who tested positive for COVID-19 after passing away has also surfaced. A total of 50 cases from the resort have so far been identified. 

Minister Mausoom stressed on the importance of safety and security in a twet today. 

HPA statistics show that the nation 120 staffers working at tourist establishments have tested positive from 30 resorts in addition to 52 tourists. 

Tourist arrivals to the Maldives are required to present a 96-hour negative PCR test for COVID-19. Staffers at such establishments are also required to undergo a 14-day quarantine period upon traveling to their local islands, meanwhile, guesthouses in local islands are only permitted to operate with stringent safety measures. 

Both resorts and guesthouses are required to allocate a certain number of rooms for isolation purposes as well as the establishment of a flu clinic with trained medical personnel. 

The Ministry has previously warned that establishments not following the set procedure for operations will have their operation permits revoked.