Hundreds of vacationers remain stuck in the Maldives, an idyllic island destination renowned for its luxury resorts

There are worse places to be stranded during a pandemic, after all.

More than a month after the arrival of the coronavirus, Ali Waheed, the Maldives' tourism minister, told Dinogo's Richard Quest that hundreds of tourists remain trapped on the islands.

According to Waheed, around 500 tourists are still in the Maldives, with 100 currently stranded at the airport. The government is assisting those who can't afford to continue their stay at the resorts.

Waheed added, 'We see them as part of the community—these tourists have contributed to the success of the Maldives as a top destination.'

The Maldives confirmed its first two cases of COVID-19 on March 8, and by March 12, the Health Minister declared a public health emergency.

The country has reported a total of 468 coronavirus cases. Seventeen people have recovered, while one fatality has occurred, according to the Ministry of Health.

Famous for its luxury resorts, the Maldives' tourism sector has been hit hard by the pandemic, with borders closed and flights canceled.

In early April, the New York Times covered the story of a couple stuck in a seemingly endless honeymoon. 'With nowhere to go, they rule their private island like benevolent captives—long, lazy days spent sleeping in, snorkeling, and lounging by the pool,' the NYT noted.

Olivia De Freitas shared her thoughts with the paper: 'Everyone fantasizes about being stranded on a tropical island—until you're actually stuck there. It only sounds appealing because you know you can leave.'