Maldives extends state of public health emergency until Sept. 1

The state of public health emergency first declared across the Maldives on 12 March 2020 following the confirmation of coronavirus cases, has been extended once again.

A press release signed by the Minister for Health Ahmed Naseem states that the authorities have decided to extend the state of public health emergency, first announced on 12 March 2020 as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic as per the powers vested in them under the Public Health Protection Act (No. 7/12), and under recommendations by the Director General of Public Health, Maimoona Aboobakuru.

The extension is until 1 September 2021.

The document further declared that the risk of wide-spread escalation of the pandemic in the Maldives remains, and that the ministry has advised citizens to adhere strictly to health guidelines and regulations in place to help limit the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

The health minister stressed on the importance of citizens understanding the current situation of the pandemic in Maldives, and cautioned the public to adhere strictly to the precautionary steps put in place across the nation under the Public Health Protection Act.

The government in April revised many of the health guidelines and regulations in place to help ease day-to-day life for citizens and businesses once the Covid-19 caseload began dropping as well as in time for the fasting month of Ramadan 1442 and the Local Council and Women’s Development Committee Elections in mid-April. However, stricter measures such as a vehicle ban across the capital region, were enforced following an alarming spike in cases since late April. These measures were extended several times round. The measures were dissolved in early July in time for the Eid-Al-Adha and Independence Day holidays, after the caseload began decreasing over recent weeks.