The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Maldives has informed last week that the island has decided to impose stricter entry restrictions on inbound tourists, after noting a surge in coronavirus infections at more than 12 resorts.

The Indian Ocean archipelago has reopened its luxury resort islands in mid of July, after nearly four months of follow lockdown restrictions along with border closure to limit the risk of importation and spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Officials said that 30 local employees and 16 foreign tourists have tested positive for infection at the resort since the island started welcoming foreign tourists. Infected employees and tourists have been quarantined at the same resort.

According to the new guidelines, all inbound tourists entering into the island are now subject to undergo some tests and body temperature checks upon arrival. Moreover, they are now required to provide a negative COVID-19 test results to the airport or border authorities. The coronavirus test must be taken no more than 72 hours before the date of departure.

Previously, inbound tourists were not required to undergo tests or carry health certificate that shows their COVID-19 negative results when entering into the country.

Maldives is a tropical island in South Asia and popular among celebrities and honeymooners for vacations. Tourism is the main economic driver of the Maldives which has been hard hit by the virus.

The authorities had hoped that tourists would flock back to Maldives with 1,190 small coral islets when international flights resumed. But, only 5,200 tourists have visited the island since July 15, which is a fraction of the average of 1,41,000 people per month before the pandemic.

In regard to COVID-19 transmission in Maldives, more cases were reported in the Male, capital of the Maldives. The island has reported a total number of 8,667 confirmed cases which are under treatment and 29 patients have lost their lives due to the virus. However, 6,052 patients who tested positive to COVID-19 have completely recovered from the virus, as of Tuesday (Sept 8).