Maldives Police Service (MPS) has launched a criminal investigation over negligence in sending off a tourist infected with COVID-19.
MPS said the tourist who holidayed in Kuredu Island Resort had COVID-19 symptoms, and MPS is investigating the matter to identify if any individual was negligent in their duties. The tourist departed back to Italy while he had COVID-19 symptoms and no measures of protection were taken.
The case opened doors for COVID-19 to spread in Maldives before any measures were taken, causing harm to lives, according to MPS. Contact tracing indicated the Italian tourist holidaying in Maldives consulted the resort doctor due to high fever.
National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) further revealed it was found the tourist transited in Male' City and stayed in Maagiri Hotel for two days. The hotel has been closed down to carry out disinfection. During his transit period in Male', the Italian tourist also went to the ticketing office of Universal Travel Services.
MPS launched the investigation into the matter after Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem called to conduct a criminal investigation over negligence in sending off a tourist infected with COVID-19.