Maldives further extends state of public health emergency

The state of public health emergency first declared across the Maldives on 12 March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic has been extended until 3 February 2021.

The announcement was publicized in a press release signed by the Minister for Health Ahmed Naseem, which stated that the Ministry had decided to extend the state of public health emergency, first announced on 12 March 2020 as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, to 3 February 2021 as per the powers vested in them in the Public Health Protection Act (No. 7/12).

The document further declared that the Director General of Public Health Maimoona Aboobakuru felt risk of wide-spread escalation of the pandemic in the Maldives remained, and that she had advised citizens to adhere strictly to health guidelines and regulations in place to help limit the spread of Covid-19 in the country. The extension to the state of public health emergency comes at a time where a more virulent variant of Covid-19 is spreading across Europe, and while multitudes of tourists continue to travel to Maldives for holiday season following re-opening of borders in July last year.

The Director General of Public Health Maimoona Aboobakuru stressed the importance of citizens understanding the current situation of the pandemic in Maldives, and cautioned the public to adhere strictly to the precautionary steps put in place across the nation under the Public Health Protection Act.

The government has revised many of the health guidelines and regulations in place to help ease day-to-day life for citizens and businesses despite the looming threat of the more virulent variant of Covid-19. The Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) strongly urges members of the public follow standard health regulations such as avoiding large gatherings, wearing masks, and maintaining social distancing.