Maldives Police Service have confirmed that they have launched an investigation into the allegations of negligence in the departure of an Italian tourist with Covid-19 symptoms.

The tourist was staying at Kuredu Island Resort before his departure. Upon his arrival back at Italy, it was confirmed that he was positive to Coronavirus. The first two confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Maldives were related to said tourist, as two foreign workers in Kuredu Resort who came into contact with the tourist, including the resort doctor had tested positive for the virus. They are both now being treated at the isolation facility in Farukolhufushi.

The first two confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the Maldives came to light after Italy had notified the Maldivian government of the tourist testing positive to the virus. Upon a contact trace, it was found that the two had shown symptoms after which they were isolated and later on tested positive to the virus.

However serious allegations regarding the situation around the tourist has surfaced since, some of which include that the tourist had consulted a doctor on multiple occasions after falling sick. Some of these allegations also note that the tourist was unable to depart at first after he was found to be too sick to fly, while some reports even claim that he was admitted at the resort for showing Covid-19 symptoms.

Government later revealed that the tourist had stayed at Maagiri Hotel on March 1st and 2nd, following which 15 employees who had come into contact with the tourist were isolated. In addition to this, a ticketing agent at Universal was quarantined after coming into contact with him, but had later tested negative to the virus.

Police launched their probe into the issue at a time when Prosecutor General (PG) Hussain Shameem had requested them to launch a criminal investigation into the matter.

Police further added that they have begun an investigation into the issue to see whether there were any negligent parties in the departure of an Italian tourist with Covid-19 symptoms who had visited the Maldives on February 23rd.

Five resorts have so far been locked down in the Maldives, while the total number of confirmed cases are now at six.