The State of Public Health Emergency declared across the Maldives on March 12, has been extended.

This was revealed by the Ministry of Health on Thursday via a statement.

As such, the State of Public Health Emergency has been extended until May 30 as the Maldives is still at risk of the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) spreading among the communities.

Upon recommendations from the Director-General of Public Health, Maimoona Aboobakuru to implement special measures to curb the spread of the disease, the ministry reached the decision to extend the State of Public Health Emergency until the end May.

According to Minister Ameen, the emergency was declared in March in order to remove administrative obstacles and to swiftly impose the necessary public health measures.

The State of Public Health Emergency was declared by the Director-General of Public Health under the powers granted to her by article 33 of the public health act. The emergency was imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the Maldives.

This is the first time in Maldivian history that such a declaration has been imposed.

Maldives has confirmed 280 Covid-19 cases thus far out of which 17 have recovered.