Authorities have carried out random sampling for Covid-19 testing at the prison facility in Malé City’s suburbs, Hulhumalé as well.

The operation was conducted as part of the authorities’ efforts to contain and control the spread of the virus in the Maldives.

The Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) revealed that this is being done in collaboration with the Covid-19 task force established by the government, National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC).

As such, under the operation, random samples were collected from prison personnel, convicts as well as MCS officers employed in different sectors.

Samples were collected from 15 convicts, five expatriates detained at the facility as well as 10 officers and employees of the corrections authority.

The 30 samples were collected from individuals picked out from several units of the facility and corrections officials active in different sectors.

Corrections further revealed that this is part of the efforts by the government to flatten the curve, curb the spread of the infection and identify the extent of the spread of the infection in prison and detention facilities across the island nation.

Earlier, the authority had collaborated with NEOC to conduct sampling at Maafushi Prison as well as Asseyri Prison and Malé Prison, all of which tested negative for Covid-19.