Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen has stated the situation of coronavirus outbreak in countries which Maldivians frequently visit is closely being monitored.
The health minister said the number of patients found positive for coronavirus is increasing in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia which are countries Maldivians frequently travel to. The minister further expressed efforts are underway to identify preventive measures which can be imposed on people travelling to Maldives from these countries. He said discussions are fast underway with relevant stakeholders to identify measures to be taken by Maldives.
The novel coronavirus, which originated in the city of Wuhan in China, has become a global health concern as it is highly contagious and deadly. While some countries have temporarily suspended on arrival visa to Chinese tourists, protocols and procedures have been set up to mitigate the effects of the virus.
To minimise the risk of coronavirus in Maldives, arrangements and preventive measures have been taken in all airports and seaports, while all officials working to attend cases of coronavirus in airports have been trained by the health ministry. Maldives has imposed additional border control measures to safeguard the country from novel coronavirus.