Covid-19: state employees ordered to remain home except in the case of emergencies

The President’s Office has ordered all state employees to remain indoors unless an emergency situation arises or they are required access to essential requirements.

This drastic measure has been taken in the government’s efforts to slow down the spread of the Covid-19 which emerged in the Maldives on 7 March. It also aims to implement the government’s order to close down all state offices to facilitate social distancing.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih issued the order to take effect from 19 March, Thursday for a period of one week. The period is set between 19 - 26 March.

All essential services will be provided to the public without interruption, despite all offices being closed, said the President’s Office.

A minimum number of employees will be active in providing services to the people at government offices.

Some of the companies that are to limit the number of staff reporting to work and continue providing essential services include;

1. Health service centers and pharmacies,

2. Judiciary services and courts,

3. Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and Maldives Police Service (MPS),

4. Water, electricity and sewerage companies,

5. Diplomatic and consular institutes,

6. Social protection services, orphanages and shelters,

7. Airports and Seaports,

8. Broadcasters,

9. Banks,

10. Fire and rescue,

11. Maldives Meteorological Department,

12. Gas and fuel suppliers,

13. Waste Management Corporation, WAMCO and

14. Maldives Correctional Services.

Further, the office revealed that relevant institutions are required to consider measures recommended by the current state of public health emergency, declared under the discretionary power vested in the Director of Public Health by Section 33 of the 7/2012 Public Health Act, after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a global pandemic.

The directive issued also highlights that all state institutions must take necessary action to implement the administration’s strategies regarding the outbreak.

At this critical time where the government offices and institutions have been closed, the government continues to appeal on restaurant and café owners to close their doors for services, until the situation has simmered down in the country.

The government has also urged the people to refrain from attending public gatherings, limit travel and practice social distancing.

Thus far, there have been 13 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the Maldives; five from Kuredu Island Resort, two each from Kuramathi Maldives, Sandies Bathala Maldives, Anantara Dhigu and Island Safari 1.