Malé, Maldives – Former President and Interim President of Maldives Reform Movement (MRM), Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has stated that covid-19 cases have surged to worrying levels yet again and has called for action to be taken before it is too late.
He tweeted this out earlier today after the Health Protection Agency (HPA) eased multiple covid-19 restrictions in the Greater Malé region, although covid cases in the Maldives are at record numbers.
Former President Maumoon has previously alerted the authorities on social media regarding the same issue, and has raised his concern every time the authorities ease preventive measures. He had previously stated that all institutions needed to abide by the HPA guidelines set out to curb the Covid-19 virus and that no exemption should be given while the whole country battles to get over the pandemic.
The curfew which has been effective across the Maldives’ capital between 23:00 and 04:30 has been lifted effective yesterday, and authorities have announced that cinemas and movie theatres can now open under strict Covid-19 health and safety guidelines, along with outlets providing food services and running tracks as well.
HPA also stated that physical classes will also resume under strict measures for nurseries, pre-schools, colleges and universities, along with resumption of services from gyms, exercise classes and day care centers under HPA guidelines.
However, HPA has chosen to maintain restrictions on sports activities, parties, public gatherings of more than five people, other such functions and within Malé.
Male’ City residents will still also require a negative PCR test result with a sample taken 72 hours prior when travelling to other islands, with special permission still a requisite for essential travel. Further, all those entering the Maldives aside from tourists will be required to observe a 10-day quarantine, with those traveling from Male’ to other islands also required to quarantine.
In addition to this, Islamic Ministry of Maldives has announced that their decision to perform daily prayers with physical distancing in the Male’ area on March 1, 2021 will be abolished from todays Maghrib prayer onward.
While Maldives recorded 300 cases yesterday, the total number of Covid-19 cases recorded in the country has reached 24,379 out of which 21,282 patients have made full recoveries, as of 18:00 of April 1, 2021. Since the country recorded its first case of Covid-19, Maldives has reported 67 deaths in connection to Covid-19. The deceased are 60 Maldivian nationals, 6 Bangladeshi nationals and a Filipino national.
