Ministry of Health has stated it has ordered handheld portable thermal scanners for all ports following the global outbreak of novel coronavirus.
In addition to purchasing handheld thermal scanners, the ministry is also installing additional screening cameras at airports.
Speaking at a press conference to brief the preparation of the ministry and the necessary precautions it is taking, health officials shared the measures taken to further strengthen the scanning and screening systems at the airports. The officials from the ministry said handheld scanners are being imported through State Trading Organisation (STO), as part of scanning people arriving in yachts, boats and cruise liners.
The ministry also shared its emergency response procedures in case a patient is identified. Such individuals are planned to be taken to quarantine and isolation centres set up in Indra Ghandi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) or Hulhumale' Hospital. The patients shall be transported in special ambulances to contain the virus as much as possible, and these vehicles will be operated by trained drivers from Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
The health ministry said it will also run awareness programmes on novel coronavirus. The ministry has also begun efforts to bring back Maldivians in China, following President Ibrahim Mohamed's decision to bring them to the country after formulating a work plan.