Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed on Sunday revealed that a 30-room isolation facility was established at Vilivaru, an island in Kaafu Atoll allocated to develop a resort, to quarantine those that test positive for COVID-19.
Speaking at a press conference held at President's Office, Minister Ali Waheed stated that arrangements at the new facility are intended to minimalize feelings of isolation among those quarantined.
He went to say that this facility is established to provide maximum conform to those taken there.
The island was initially leased to Athama Company, but due to certain issues that surfaced, the island was awarded to Mohamed Ali Janah, businessman and the president of Maldives Association for Construction Industry (MACI).
As per the Tourism Minister, the island was temporarily seized by the government. He also revealed that the Tourism Ministry spent MVR 2.1 million from its trust fund to develop the quarantine facility.
The facility was developed within ten days, together with various government and tourism establishment and state companies. The minister highlighted Police, MWSE, FENAKA and STO in particular.
Furthermore, Minister Ali Waheed revealed the facility as being an initiative put forward by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. A video shown during the press conference shows the President visiting the island while work was still underway.
As per Ali Waheed, the government is looking at more islands closed off for resort development, that could possibly be made into quarantine facilities, should the need arise.
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