Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has announced a temporary ban has been imposed on individuals travelling from Bangladesh, following the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.
According to a circular issued by the ministry, any individual who had travelled to Bangladesh within the last 14 days would not be allowed into Maldives until March 24. However, the ban excludes Maldivian nationals who had travelled to Bangladesh.
In addition to Bangladesh, Maldives has also imposed bans on foreigners travelling from Italy, Iran and China as well as some parts of South Korea. The administration has been strengthening security measures in all international airports and seaports in the efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. As such, cruise liners have been temporarily banned from entering Maldives while high-quality thermal cameras have been installed in airports to screen incoming passengers.
Meanwhile, Maldivian Red Crescent has commenced an awareness programme on COVID-19 aimed for the expatriates working in Maldives. The organisation informed the programme is conducted in the languages spoken by the expatriates, adding information is being given on maintaining personal hygiene as well as other preventive measures against COVID-19.