Maafushi island in Kaafu atoll has been brought under monitoring as authorities work to investigate the situation of Covid-19 in the island.

In a statement signed by the Director General of Public Health, Maimoona Aboobakuru that was sent to the island council on Monday, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) banned entry and departure from the island until further notice as the island has been placed under monitoring.

The council has also been asked to allocate an individual to carry out the work of the council, in cooperation with the movements and measures placed by HPA. The council is to cooperate with these measures accordingly.

Following the discovery of the first community transmission in the Maldives capital Malé City on April 15, several cases have been unfolding in the area as well as outlying islands after those linked to these cases travelled out of Malé.

The Greater Malé Region is currently under lockdown and remains in effect until April 30. Movement in and out of inhabited islands has also been banned by authorities.