Maldives’ state of public health emergency has been extended to July 14.
Health Minister Abdulla Ameen made the decision on Monday, as the country is still at risk of a further Covid-19 spread.
The health ministry said that the decision to extend the public health emergency was reached upon the recommendations of the director general of public health, to pave way for the required precautionary measures in order to ensure the safety of the people.
This is the fourth extension of the state of public health emergency.
A 30-day nationwide state of health emergency was declared on March 12, as advised by the Director General Maimoona Aboobakuru as per section 33 of the Public Health Act.
“If there is sufficient proof for the Director General to believe there is a situation which may be harmful to health in a specific place on a specific day and actions need to be taken to ensure the emergency is resolved, managed and risks minimized, the Director General can advise the Minister to declare a state of public health emergency and specify the area in which the state of emergency will be enforced”Section 33, Public Health Act
The declaration of the public health emergency allows the director general of public health to take the necessary precautionary measures for the safety of the people.
While the public health emergency allows the director general to take the necessary steps to curb the spread of Covid-19, she imposed a lockdown in the greater Malé region on April 15, following the detection of a community transmission. Authorities have since begun lockdown easing.
And while the public health emergency has been extended until July 14, the country is to reopen its borders for international travel on July 15.
