A number of island resorts in the Republic of Maldives in South Asia have allocated resources and rooms to help make beds available for those being quarantined, as part of that country’s efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and treat locals and tourists who have contracted the virus. One property that had been abandoned for years was renovated in 10 days by a crew of about 50 workers, to now be able to provide 30 air-conditioned rooms.
The Republic of Maldives may be one of the smallest countries in Asia, with a population of just over 436,000, but that country’s government has taken a number of steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and treat locals and tourists who have contracted the novel coronavirus, the South China Morning Post reported.
A number of island resorts in the Maldives have allocated resources and rooms as quarantine facilities, the Morning Post reported, and there is a government contact assigned to each of the country’s 10 resort locations. According to a tweet from Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed, the country now has 1,158 rooms (2,288 beds) available for those being quarantined, the Morning Post reported.
Among the quarantine facilities is a repurposed resort on Villivaru in the Kaafu Atoll, the Morning Post reported. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, the island was home to a popular luxury resort, but the property has been abandoned for years. A renovation of the property was completed in just 10 days by a crew of about 50 workers, the Morning Post reported, to create a quarantine facility that has 30 air-conditioned rooms outfitted with a flat-screen TV and fully stocked minibar.
While having to be quarantined at a beautiful resort may sound inviting, the Morning Post reported, no visitors are allowed and movement around the resorts is restricted, so the individuals housed there won’t be going for long walks on the beach or snorkeling in the blue waters.
Despite having 13 confirmed cases at the time of the Morning Post’s report, the Maldives government had not yet completely closed off tourism to the islands. Many resorts were restricting reservations, and passengers with travel history to certain regions (including Iran, South Korea, mainland China, Italy, Spain and others) within the last 14 days were not going to be permitted entry into the country.
Furthermore, all Maldivians entering into the country were subject to a 14-day quarantine at one of the designated facilities, the Morning Post reported, although tourists were not subject to this measure.
The Morning Post’s video report can be viewed here: https://www.scmp.com/video/asia/3074862/maldives-builds-worlds-first-coronavirus-quarantine-resort
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