An emergency motion has been summitted to the People's Majlis, calling for the government to take swift action in order to control the Covid-19 situation in the hard-hit islands of Lhaviyani atoll.

The emergency motion was submitted to parliament by MP for Naifaru constituency Ahmed Shiyam, who alleged negligence on behalf of the government at a time a huge Covid-19 cluster has grown on the industrial island of Lhaviyani Felivaru, the heart of the Maldives' fisheries industry.

While over 300 people have tested positive for Covid-19 from Felivaru at this time, all inhabited islands in Lhaviyani atoll have been placed under monitoring to control the infection's rapid spread.

The emergency motion also notes that the Health Protection Agency (HPA)'s guidelines for Covid-19 control are not suited for islands with high population density. Naifaru island has been reduced to a virtual standstill with many homes under monitoring and businesses closed down, and the emergency motion notes that the frontline health workers are struggling to implement their guidelines effectively as a result.

The emergency motion calls for help from the central government to resolve the issue, by appealing to provide citizens compensation for their losses, and eases on the repayment of loans and utility bills in light of the worsening situation of Covid-19 in Lhaviyani atoll.