Covid-19: team of international medical experts to arrive in Maldives

A team of international medical experts is set to arrive in the Maldives to assist with efforts against Covid-19, says Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed.

Speaking at the National Emergency Operations Center's (NEOC) daily Covid-19 press briefing held on Saturday afternoon, Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed revealed that the Tourism Fund has arranged for a team of international medical experts to assist with these efforts.

The team will consist of doctors, nurses and relevant medical professionals from America, the United Kingdom and Africa.

The team will provide assistance for one month, said Waheed, highlighting that the oncoming weeks will require heightened efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The team is set to arrive on Thursday.

Further, the Waheed stated that the government has decided to begin construction on "phase 2" at Vilivaru quarantine facility. The construction will begin on Sunday and will increase the facility's capacity to more than 100 beds, said Waheed, adding that a team on in-house medical professionals will be stationed at the facility.

Waheed went onto announce that the state will be establishing a third quarantine facility at Velidhu Island Resort at Alif Alif atoll. The resort which was operational up until 2019 is currently being renovated by a joint team consisting of the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and the Ministry of Tourism, said Waheed.

Waheed disclosed that both Vilivaru and Velidhoo have been leased to the state for a period of six-months - free of charge.