The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has revealed that a delay in the provision of meals caused the scuffle between migrant workers quarantined at Amin Hiya.

Speaking to press on Monday night, Covid-19 spokesperson Mohamed Mabrook Aziz revealed that what happened at the quarantine facility under Housing Development Corporation (HDC), is concerning and that it was caused due to a delay in the provision of meals for the migrant workers.

Highlighting that there was a delay in providing breakfast and dinner on Sunday, Mabrook stated that the issue has been resolved now.

Mabrook cited HDC having assured that arrangements have been made to ensure this does not repeat. HDC is to have been unaware that the third party through which catering for these individuals is carried out, was facing delays in providing meals for those in quarantine at the facility.

During Sunday’s altercation, chairs were thrown at security personnel at the facility, after a dispute between workers.

No injuries were reported in the scuffle and no arrests were made either.

Earlier this month, an 800-bed accommodation block was completed for migrant workers in Hulhumalé and work is currently underway to reclaim a 30-hectare land in Gulhifalhu to build more accommodation quarters, at a time the authorities are working to transfer a number of expatriates living in confined spaces in large groups, which makes them vulnerable to contract the wide-spreading Covid-19 virus.