President Solih recovers from Covid-19

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has recovered from Covid-19.

The Maldivian president announced that he had contracted the virus, on January 22.

President Solih wrote that he learnt that he had contracted the virus after undergoing PCR testing on January 21 in order to embark on a domestic trip. He stated that he was doing well and that he had isolated himself at home upon learning that he tested positive.

President Solih is currently doing well and has resumed his official duties following the completion of his mandatory seven-day isolation period.

The president has received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and had even received his booster shot early this month.

Solih has resumed his official responsibilities at a time the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu is in the Maldives on an official visit, upon the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Abdulla Shahid.

The Foreign Minister of Turkey will conclude his visit on January 30. Prior to this he will pay a courtesy call on the Maldivian president as well as Speaker of Parliament and Former President Mohamed Nasheed, on Sunday morning.

Official talks will also be held with his counterpart, FM Shahid. Further, the visit will also see the signing of a number of key agreements between the two countries.

This is the first time a foreign minister of Turkey will be visiting the Maldives.

Maldives is currently immersed in another Covid-19 wave following the confirmation of the new and more transmissible variant, Omicron in December 2021.

Cases have been spiraling since New Years’ and the sample positivity rate across the congested Greater Malé Region has hiked to 21 percent from three percent at the end of 2021.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) responded to the surging caseload by implementing stricter measures such as making PCR testing for outbound domestic travelers, mandatory. A ban on gatherings of more than 50 persons is also in effect. Further, spectators and supporters are not allowed inside stadiums for sports activities as well as prohibiting city and night markets from being held.