Maldives extends state of public health emergency until October 6

The state of public health emergency declared across the Maldives, has been extended.

In an announcement on Sunday night, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) revealed that the extension is until October 6.

While this is the seventh time the health emergency period has been extended, it was last extended on August 8, set to expire on Sunday.

The extension, publicized in the government gazette, comes at a time health authorities have stressed on the growing fears that Covid-19 could spread across the island nation, in light of which the state of public health emergency was extended.

It comes under the recommendation of the Director General of Public Health Maimoona Aboobakuru who has recommended special measures to ensure the safety of the people and curb the spread of the infection.

The state of public health emergency was initially declared by the Director-General of Public Health under the powers granted to her by article 33 of the public health act, on March 12, four days after the first Covid-19 cases were confirmed in the country on March 7 and then-Health Minister, Abdulla Ameen noted that it was introduced in order to remove administrative obstacles and to swiftly impose the necessary public health measures.

This is the first time in Maldivian history that such a declaration has been imposed.

While the Greater Malé Region went into a full lockdown following the detection of a community spread on April 15, it was proven to be effective in curbing the spread of the virus. Cases began increasing again after the government entered the third phase of lockdown easing and the country saw a record number of over 900 cases within less than a week, this past week.

As a precautionary measure, authorities have imposed a curfew from 10pm to 5am and movement restriction on vehicles from 8pm to 5am as well.