Discussions have been held to start various programmes for migrant workers transferred to Gulhifalhu expat quarantine facility amid the Covid-19 lockdown in the Greater Malé Region.

The discussions were held on Thursday, bwteen Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi, Youth Minister Ahmed Mahloof, Chief of Defense Force, Major General Abdulla Shamaal as well as senior officials at both ministries.

Mahloof said that the discussions include plans to start a psychosocial support programme as well as recreational and entertainment programmes at the facility.

This comes at a time the relevant authorities have asserted that awareness programmes are important to be initiated among migrant workers at a time the Covid-19 virus has been spreading among their communities at a fast rate.

The 665-bed quarantine facility in Gulhifalhu was established to transfer expatriates living in confined living spaces in the capital region. Work is underway to reclaim a 30-hectare land in Gulhifalhu to develop accommodation facilities for expatriate workers as well.

Another facility was also established in Hulhumalé with a capacity to accommodate 700 expatriates.

Authorities are working to establish more quarantine facilities to accommodate up to 6,000 expatriate workers in the region and have prioritized to improve the livelihoods of over 200,000 migrant workers in the Maldives, who are forced to live in congested living spaces. These workers are at a higher risk of being exposed to the deadly pandemic due to their livelihoods and living conditions.