Covid-19 Special Measures Bill 2020, ratified to support recovery efforts

A legislation to support the Maldives recovery and resilience efforts pertaining to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Covid-19 Special Measures Bill 2020 has been ratified.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ratified the bill, No.20/2020 on Tuesday.

Once the legislation comes into effect, its provisions will be implemented 60 days after the ongoing state of public health emergency expires or 60 days after the expiration of any state of emergency declared in relation to the coronavirus pandemic.

Passed by the People’s Majlis during the 33rd sitting of its second session held on September 6, the legislation highlights special guidelines to help the country’s recovery and resilience efforts pertaining to the ongoing pandemic and adds security against impacts of the infection by facilitating support for families struggling to access basic necessities.

It also ensures temporary shelter for those in need among several other precautionary measures to avoid a situation where citizens are stranded on the streets without a home.

In addition, it sets specific guidelines on special policies for employees who wish to take leave if unable to carry out their responsibilities due to the pandemic.

The legislation prevents any kind of changes to employees’ status due to the pandemic under extraordinary circumstances.

Mechanisms to ensure that the government can continue to provide all services without interruption in the face of the pandemic, are also included in the legislation.

The Covid-19 Special Measures Act 2020 has been publicized in the government gazette following ratification.

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. It has been extended seven times since then, and is set to expire on October 6.

The extension comes at a time health authorities have stressed on the growing fears that Covid-19 is spreading across the island nation. 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.