Gov't publicizes guidelines for travel between islands for essential services amid pandemic

The procedure to follow for travel between islands to provide essential services to the people during the global Covid-19 pandemic, has been publicized.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) issued the guidelines on Tuesday, which read that travel from an island where a Covid-19 community spread has been reported, to an island without a trace of community spread, is required in order to provide essential services such as utilities, maintenance, inspections as well as work for ongoing projects, without interruption during the ongoing pandemic.

As such, the guideline revolves around providing guidance in taking necessary precautions when travelling to provide the essential services.

HPA revealed that the stay should not exceed five days and excludes resorts as well.

Individuals travelling are to acquire the required permit and share information of their trips to the relevant island councils.

Further, requesting organizations are required to send an email toneoc@police.gov.mvwith the required information such as name of organization and travelers, their address, designation, ID, contact details, other details of the required work as well as date of departure and arrival and where they are travelling to.

Services allowed under the guidelines include, cable and media network services, bank services, utility services such as water, electricity, health facility monitoring and inspections and temporary health care services, maintenance work, government and private projects conducted in islands and other essential services.

Travelers going for a short period of time on work-based visit -less than 14 days- should obtain special permission from the HPA.

Island councils have the responsibility to assist and facilitate for persons travelling to give the essential services in the island.

The guidelines go on to read that organizations must be responsible for acquiring approval for their staff, ensuring the staff do not have Covid-19 related symptoms or is not a contact of a positive case, ensuring staff members who have provided samples for testing is not a part of the team and only allowing them to travel if their results come back negative and reporting symptoms if observed within the travel period.

Further, approval from Maldives Police Services should be informed to the respective council prior to travel and organizations are required to make arrangements for the staff members to travel with safety measures in place as well as make arrangements to bring the team back as soon as the assigned tasks are completed.

In addition, the guideline also stipulates organizations to make arrangements for food and accommodation for their teams, away from local residents.

Those travelling are required to always follow the general guidelines issued by HPA, wear face masks as well as wash their hands frequently. They are also required to report to a health facility immediately and follow instructions provided, if any symptoms are observed.