Lockdown ease does not imply that Covid-19 has been eradicated: Ameen

The easing of the lockdown across the Greater Malé Region does not mean Covid-19 has been eradicated in the Maldives and the possibility of going into another full lockdown was considered when easing the lockdown, says Minister of Health, Abdulla Ameen.

During a press briefing held on Wednesday night to announce the process of easing the lockdown in phases, the minister stated that they did not ease the lockdown, under the impression that a full lockdown would not be required in the future and that the lockdown ease does not mean the country has beaten the Covid-19 pandemic.

In this regard, he added that the country is still vulnerable to the risks posed by Covid-19.

According to the minister, authorities were able to progress in their efforts to control the spread of the infection due to the steady precautionary measures that were placed.

However, the country will implement more measures in accordance with the extent of the spread of the disease in the coming days, if required.

As such, the government will impose another full lockdown should the current circumstances change and the situation worsens.

Highlighting that the country will face several challenges in the upcoming days, Minister Ameen noted that their work will be based around the belief that such a situation may arise.

Ameen continuously asserted that the lockdown ease does not mean that the virus has been eradicated in the Maldives.