Health Protection Agency (HPA) has urged citizens to be diligent in following the health guidelines due to the risk of a new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement from HPA comes at a time when many Maldivians have travelled to the atolls to celebrate the Eid Holidays.
Earlier this year, the government imposed strict regulations following a drastic increase in COVID-19 cases in the Maldives, which led to deaths and numerous hospitalisations. Although it was the worst wave of the pandemic the Maldives has so far faced, HPA has eased restrictions following the decrease of cases and allowed citizens to travel to the atolls for the holidays. However, HPA has warned that the country is still at risk of a new wave of the pandemic, especially if travellers ignore the health guidelines while celebrating the holidays.
HPA advised travellers to limit contacts to their own social circle and keep a distance of three feet from others at all times. HPA also banned organisers of social or sports events from inviting residents from nearby islands and advised all Maldivians to limit holiday celebrations to their close relatives.
Furthermore, Maldives Police Service (MPS) has stated it will take action against any travellers that are found to have violated the guidelines.
As per the ease of restrictions, individuals are allowed to travel from one island to another 14 days after they complete their vaccine doses and if they test negative for COVID-19 prior to travelling.