Work is currently underway to evacuate the residents of Kamadhoo island, Baa atoll, stranded in capital city Malé.

The island council’s president, Ahmed Saajid revealed that the island residents will be kept at local guesthouses on the island after they are brought back, for the required 14-day period.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, Saajid revealed that the island’s overall situation is currently stable and that they are implementing several precautionary measures against the wide-spreading Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19).

The council has listed down the number of island residents who are currently stranded in locked down Malé City after travelling for medical and miscellaneous purposes.

Further, he added that discussions have been held with the local guesthouses to accommodate these individuals upon return. Some guesthouses have agreed to cooperate and the individuals will be provided food from households as well.

Saajid added that the island is “ready” for a state of emergency and that specific rooms have been arranged for isolation purposes as well. The council has also compiled a stock of safety wear such as gloves, face masks as well as hand sanitizer in cooperation with nearby resorts. As the current supply of these items is low, they have been reserved for frontline workers.

A registry of expatriate workers has also been compiled by the island council, which revealed that they have conducted several awareness programs among these communities. A team from the island’s health center has also visited these communities and enlightened them on the importance of social distancing, regular hand washing as well as following the protocols and instructions set by the Health Protection Agency.

Shedding light on the safety measures being implemented, Saajid stated that public gatherings have been banned and changes have been brought to timings under which shops are allowed to operate. As such, shops will be open from 1pm to 2pm, 4pm to 5pm and 9pm to 10pm with continuous delivery services.

Further, restaurants and cafés are also only allowed to carry out deliveries and halt dine-in services.

Highlighting that the island council has been implementing the orders by the island’s task force, Saajid revealed that their work is based on the recommendations by the social support desk and the health center.

Saajid also stated that they are receiving full cooperation from island residents.