Maldives has extended the state of public health emergency for the 18th time.

The state of public health emergency first declared across the Maldives on 12 March 2020 following the confirmation of coronavirus cases, has been extended to expire on October 1.

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 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. This led to a spike in cases at the beginning of May, when a fourth and more infectious wave was confirmed.

This prompted authorities to impose stricter measures such as a vehicle ban across the capital region.  The measures were dissolved in early July in time for the long government holidays, and the caseload has been decreasing over recent weeks. However, infection rate in outlying atolls continues to spike.