The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has revealed that travel between inhabited islands will not be allowed in the first phase of the lockdown easing process in the Greater Malé Region.

Speaking to press on Friday night, the Covid-19 spokesperson, Mohamed Mabrook Aziz revealed that the lockdown ease will be implemented in phases and in the first phase, travelling to inhabited islands will not be permitted.

Authorities are working to finalize the measures that will be lifted during the first phase, said Mabrook, who cited the discussions held, having emphasized that the opportunity to travel between islands, will not be given.

As such, individuals who wish to go to an outlying island from the capital city will be required to undergo the required period in quarantine.

Mabrook added that the process of transporting cargo will be followed as it is currently being done and that the safety measures implemented will remain unchanged.

The protocols to be followed under phase one of the lockdown easing process will be shared with the public within the next two days.

According to the current measures in place, island residents stranded in the region after having arrived for a brief visit before the lockdown was imposed on April 15, will be transferred to a transit quarantine facility to undergo a 14-day quarantine period before they are tested and released to go back to their islands.

Over 5,000 individuals registered to return back to their islands when the opportunity was opened, however, the authorities identified less than 2,000 individuals who fit the category to return.

The Director General of Public Health, Maimoona Aboobakuru, ordered for Covid-19 measures to be strengthened in all inhabited islands across the Maldives in mid-April, including prohibiting travel between all inhabited islands, unless essential and the island councils are to work with respective authorities to ensure that the residents have access to basic necessities.

The decision to reinforce measures across the nation came a few days after the first case of a community spread was confirmed in the capital. The lockdown in place will remain until May 28.