President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced new protocols for state institutions to follow due to the spread of Covid-19 in the Maldives.

The President set the protocol following discussions with the Cabinet of Minister on 12th March 2020. The President had also previously instructed the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to take certain cost-cutting measures.

The protocol instructs state institutions to ask civil servants with flu-like symptoms not to attend work, halt all activities, functions and training programs in addition to arranging teleconferences if the meeting is absolutely necessary as well as waiving finger-print requirements for needed for certain services.

The President has also ordered the CSC to instruct all state institutions to continue operations with the minimum amount of employees required for uninterrupted service, prepare and present a contingency plan by 16th March in the case of an employee developing symptoms.

Further, citizens above age 55, people suffering from chronic diseases and pregnant women have the option of not attending work for a 30-day period if the area is raised to alert level "orange".

Additionally, if the alert level is raised to red, state institutions are instructed to only call in employees who are absolutely necessary for uninterrupted service and arrange for employees to work from home without having any benefits deducted.

As such, the president has urged the CSC to advise employees against going outside unless absolutely necessary.