Flight to evacuate 200 Italian tourists arrives in Maldives

The Maldivian government has announced that 200 Italian tourists in the Maldives will depart today due to the Covid-19 virus.

Government spokesperson Mabrook Azeez made the announcement in a news conference today and informed that an Alitalia flight arrived in the Maldives today to take back the tourists. Two Alitalia flights also arrived in the country to take back Italian tourists last Sunday as well.

The Maldives has confirmed 13 cases of the virus and the government has previously stated that none of the cases were locals.

In the news conference today, government spokesperson Mabrook Azeez also informed the media of the nationalities of positive cases.

They are:

• Italian: 9
• South African: 1
• UK: 1
• German: 1
• Turkish: 1

Out of these cases, seven are female, while six are male. Nine of those tested positive for the virus are receiving medical care in the designated center in Farukolhufushi. Two elderly Italian tourists who tested positive for the disease are being treated in the Dharumavantha Hospital's DH11 specialized care unit. The two cases tested positive from the safari boat remain at sea until they reach a designated center to be isolated and treated. 

The government has also implemented travel restrictions that apply to Bangladesh, regions of France, regions of Germany, Spain, Italy, China and two regions of South Korea as well as Iran in efforts to avoid the spread of the virus.