The Maldivian government predicts that about MVR 1.6 billion will be used in coronavirus relief efforts.
Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer revealed this at a press conference held at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) on Friday afternoon.
The minister said that these expenses will mostly be directed in the sectors of health and disaster management in the efforts to control Covid-19 spread, as well as to mitigate and overcome the negative repercussions on the economy.
While a community transmission was detected on April 15, Ameer stressed that this has “also increased expenditure” and that they estimate that about MVR 1.6 billion will be used for Covid-19 relief efforts.
Further, he noted that this could increase depending on how the situation progresses.
Health and disaster management expenditures:
- MVR 53.49 million on 300-bed ICU facility (Covid Village) in Hulhumalé; both construction and operations
- MVR 45.13 million to establish and operation emergency operations center
- MVR 0.93 million on Covid-19 screening systems at borders
- MVR 594.73 million on isolation and quarantine facilities; both establishment and operations
- MVR 37.03 million on assistance to Maldivians abroad
- MVR 660.03 million on acquiring protective equipment
- MVR 84.06 million for staples
- MVR 14.61 million for Incident Command Posts; this includes operations at 26 posts
- MVR 3.96 to provide aid for the needy
Noting that these are the current estimates, Minister Ameer stated that the expenditure will depend on the spread and control of the spread of the virus.
