Gov't publicizes list of islands that meet Covid-19 vaccination coverage criteria

Authorities have publicized a list of islands to which fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed to travel, without having to submit the required negative PCR test results.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) made the reveal via Twitter on Wednesday evening, revealing that those who have surpassed 14 days since completing both vaccination doses against Covid-19 will be allowed to travel to islands without the need to present negative PCR test results, if the weekly positivity rate in the respective islands are below five percent as well as the vaccine coverage.

Islands that meet vaccination coverage criteria are those where 90 percent of the eligible population above 12 years of age have completed doses, as well as 90 percent of the eligible population aged 65 and above being vaccinated. 95 percent of individuals employed at guesthouses in these islands are also required to be vaccinated.

The new guideline is effective from Wednesday.

HPA’s list of islands which have fulfilled the Covid-19 vaccination coverage criteria comprises of 28 islands outside of the Greater Malé Region and Kaafu atoll.

On Wednesday the government revealed that over 85 percent of the eligible population above 18 years of age has received a first dose of the vaccination against coronavirus, with 84 percent of the population above 12 years of age having completed first doses.

The authorities are currently working to reach out to the residents of the country who are yet to receive a single dose of Covid-19 vaccination, Mabrook added, noting that roughly 30,000 persons above 18 years of age and eligible for the vaccination haven’t received a single jab.

Individuals will be considered fully vaccinated if they have passed 14 days since receiving the second dose.