42 individuals who were stranded in Maldives capital Malé City after having travelled there for a short period of time and wished to return back to their islands, have been quarantined.

Speaking to press on Wednesday night, Covid-19 spokesperson Mohamed Mabrook Aziz revealed that these individuals were stranded in the capital following the lockdown imposes across the Greater Malé Region on April 15 and had been living for rent in guesthouses or apartments. They will be transferred to their islands after the required quarantine period.

While it has been weeks since the lockdown was imposed, several island residents who visited Malé City for several reasons including medical, have been stranded, alongside several Malé residents who visited outlying atolls as well.

In light of this, the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services established a protocol under which stranded individuals may be evacuated back to their homes.

Under this protocol, island residents who have been stranded after having arrived after April 1, will be prioritized.

This comes at a time the government has also banned travel between all inhabited islands as a precautionary measure at a time the State of Public Health Emergency has been extended nationwide. it is set to expire on May 30.