Thinadhoo under monitoring after special permit visitors test positive for virus

The southern island of G. Dh. Thinadhoo has been placed under monitoring mechanisms after two employees of the Gender Ministry who visited the island recently tested positive for COVID-19.

The Ministry employees were visiting the island under a special permit to travel provided by authorities for work purposes. Thinadhoo Council President Ali Amjad speaking with Sun said that the two employees tested positive after returning to Male' City.

A search was now underway to locate contacts of the two employees. Amjad added that the contacts of the two workers were in large numbers. 

They had stayed at a guesthouse on the island, according to Amjad. 

Thinadhoo was placed under monitoring to detect the possible spread of the virus. Travel to and from the island is currently not permitted. The island is home to a large population and is frequented by visitors from other nearby islands for necessary services such as health care.

To curb the spread of the virus, authorities had recently made mask-wearing mandatory on all inhabited islands of the nation. Travelers to islands are also required to test negative 72 hours prior to traveling. 

The Maldives is currently experiencing a third wave of the virus.