Even though monitoring measures in Uligan island of Haa Alif atoll have been lifted, the atoll council has directed “to keep them in place”.

Uligan atoll council president, Ahmed Muaz Mohamed revealed this during an interview on RaajjeTV’s Covid-19 coverage on Friday night. Monitoring status on the island was lifted on Thursday.

He said that the atoll council has directed them to keep these measures in place as a precautionary measure against Covid-19, but added that they are willing to settle in some areas.

As such, while entry and exit from the island was also banned during the monitoring period, Muaz said that those willing to return to the island will be allowed to do so, but that they will be quarantined for a 14-day period.

Noting that a Covid-19 counsel team as well as an emergency operations center has been established there, the council president further stated that these teams have also decided to keep the monitoring measures in place.

He said that Kaaviya boat, which has been under monitoring since April 19, had carried 12 of its residents, and added that all of them have since tested negative for Covid-19.

Further highlighting that some individuals are positive during a second round of testing, Muaz stressed that they “do not believe that going back to normal status is safe” yet.

Accepting that there have been concerns from residents over being locked inside their homes, Muaz stated that the council decided on this “to ensure the safety of the residents”.

Two people have tested positive for Covid-19 from the island.