Maldives bans arrival from BD for coronavirus

Maldive's Health Minister Abdulla Ameen speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office, by the Health and Tourism Ministries

FT ONLINE 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Maldives has announced not to allow the passengers and crew travelling from Bangladesh, China, Iran, South Korea and Italy to enter the country or to transit via their airports. 

In a circular on Monday, Maldives authorities said the decision was taken to minimise the risk of spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Maldives.

The ban on travellers from Bangladesh will remain effective from March 10 to 24.

However, Maldivian nationals and their spouses will be permitted entry to the country.

Earlier on Sunday, Bangladesh's Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research announced that three Bangladeshis, including two Italy-returnees, were tested positive with the coronavirus.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19), believed to have originated late last year in a seafood market in China's Wuhan city that was illegally selling wildlife, has spread in 102 countries and infected 105,586 people and the death toll from the deadly virus has climbed to 3,584 till date.