Tourists confined to a luxury Maldives resort amid coronavirus quarantine

While having your vacation disrupted by a rapidly spreading virus that has infected over 108,000 people worldwide and claimed more than 3,800 lives is undoubtedly frustrating, there are certainly worse places to be stuck than a luxury resort in the Maldives.

Recently, the Maldives was added to the growing list of countries with confirmed coronavirus cases after two staff members at Kuredu Island Resort & Spa, situated on the northern reef of Lhaviyani Atoll, tested positive for the virus.

As a precautionary measure, the resort has been placed under full quarantine, with both guests and staff prohibited from leaving until further notice.

A statement on Kuredu Island Resort & Spa’s website reads, 'The temporary restrictions will remain in place until the authorities officially lift the quarantine on the island.' The resort offers various accommodations including private pool villas, beach bungalows, and hot tub beach villas.

Currently, there are no flights in or out of the island. The island is fully stocked with necessary supplies, and we are confident in the care being provided to everyone here.

Luxurious isolation

The quarantine decision came after two staff members tested positive for the virus, shortly after they had contact with an Italian tourist who had been diagnosed with the virus upon returning home.

Ali Waheed, the Maldives' tourism minister, confirmed that all individuals who came into contact with the two infected patients during their stay are now in 'self-isolation' and will be closely monitored for the next two weeks.

In addition, authorities have decided to enforce a lockdown across the entire resort as an extra precaution, ensuring that all guests and staff stay on the island and adhere to the guidelines of the Maldives Health Protection Agency and the Ministry of Tourism.

For those not in self-isolation, there should be plenty of activities to enjoy at the resort, a 35-minute seaplane journey from Male, which offers scuba diving, windsurfing, kiteboarding, and a highly rated spa, although it remains unclear whether these services are still available.

Since the confirmed cases at Kuredu Island Resort & Spa, two additional cases have been reported at Sandies Bathala Resort in A.A Atoll, which has also been placed under lockdown, raising the total number of cases in the Maldives to four.

Authorities have also banned entry to the Maldives for passengers from Italy, including those who have transited through the country, as well as travelers who have visited Italy in the last two weeks.

Another Maldives resort, Summer Island, was placed under 'temporary restrictive measures' after two guests showed symptoms of the coronavirus while staying there.

However, the restrictions were lifted once the affected tourists tested negative for the virus.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused widespread disruption for travelers worldwide, leaving thousands stranded on cruise ships or confined to quarantine facilities, as governments and health authorities scramble to contain the virus.

Originally identified in Wuhan, China, the virus has now been confirmed in over 80 countries outside of mainland China in recent weeks.