The government has extended the state of public health emergency declared nation-wide.

In an announcement on Tuesday evening, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) revealed that the extension is until November 5.

Last extended on September 6, this is the eighth time the health emergency period has been extended. It expired on Tuesday.

Publicized in the government gazette, the extension 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.

Public health authorities have noted that the risk of the pandemic spreading extensively is still present and that extending the health emergency period will help authorities to strengthen measures in place.

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.

On April 15, Maldives capital, the greater Malé region went into a full lockdown as a response to the first case of community transmission in the region. The lockdown was proven to be effective in curbing the spread of the virus. Maldives saw a surge in cases again after the government entered the third phase of lockdown easing. In an attempt to decrease the number of cases being reported, the government began implementing stricter measures and even imposed a curfew from 10pm to 5am and movement restriction on vehicles from 8pm to 5am as well, the latter was lifted last week.