Health Protection Agency (HPA) has eased restrictions for individuals travelling to islands placed under monitoring for medical treatment. Individuals who return from medical trips to such islands within 24 hours are not required to be under quarantine, stated HPA.
In a press conference held by the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC), Head of Legal Cluster Dr. Ismail Zahir said the ease of restrictions do not apply for individuals travelling to the Greater Male' Region. Patients who obtain a doctor's letter from their island's health centre can travel to another island without requiring further permissions, he said.
HPA has advised travellers seeking medical treatment to adhere to the health guidelines and to avoid contact with others not involved in their treatment. HPA added that those who spend over 24 hours at an island placed under monitoring are required to be under quarantine for 14 days upon returning to their residential island.
Due to the spike in COVID-19 cases in the Maldives, HPA has placed 71 islands placed under monitoring and has banned non-essential travel between the Greater Male' Region and the atolls. Essential travellers include island residents travelling to the Greater Male' Region for medical treatment and individuals helping them return to the island, according to the HPA.