Thinadhoo in the Vaavu Atoll has been temporarily segregated with no one allowed on or off the island following the discovery of an Italian national with symptoms of COVID-19 Corona Virus.

Thinadhoo was placed under a lockdown after symptoms of the Coronavirus was found from an Italian tourist in the island.

Speaking during a press conference, Health Minister Abdulla Ameen said that the tourist has since been transferred to the quarantine facility in Farukolhufushi, where additional tests are to be carried out to confirm a possible infection.

Thinadhoo has been placed on a lockdown until the test results of the tourist are back. Meanwhile, works of contact tracing will be carried out in Thinadhoo.

Kuredu Resort in Lhaviyani Atoll has also been placed under temporary lockdown in addition to Thinadhoo.

Minister Ameen noted that the resort was placed under lockdown after an Italian tourist had tested positive to Coronavirus upon returning home after holidaying in the island resort. The doctor present in the island had shown suspected symptoms for the virus, hence the island had since been placed under lockdown as well.

The said doctor has also been quarantined in Farukolhufushi.

Tourism Minster Ali Waheed stressed that both Kuredu and Thinadhoo are currently in a urgent situation, and a decision on the lockdown will be taken once the test results for both parties are confirmed.

He further added that the Maldives was currently at a White Alert and stressed there was no need to widespread panic.