The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has dissolved the regulation mandating PCR testing for those travelling to islands from the capital.

In an announcement made on Monday, the public health authority announced amendments made to the guidelines publicized on January 9.

As such, the recent announcement by HPA revealed that the changes include dissolving the regulation that mandated PCR test results valid 72 hours prior, when traveling to residential islands from the capital Malé City.

Further, HPA revealed that the limit for the number of people allowed to take part in gatherings and attend events as well as ceremonies in the capital, has been revoked.

While HPA also banned spectators from being present at sports events in the capital due to an alarming spike in Covid-19 infections, it has since been revoked.

However, the public has been urged to continue holding events and other such activities in adherence to the recommendations and instructions in place for the safety of the people.

PCR testing was made mandatory for travelers from the capital to atolls in January, when Maldives was immersed in an escalating outbreak of the virus.

This saw queues at PCR testing centers overcrowded and congested with several people remaining in the queue for hours on end to get their tests done.

Although cases had been spiraling since New Year’s, the caseload has been decreasing in recent days.