Health Protection Agency (HPA) has introduced guidelines for unvaccinated individuals to follow when seeking some services.
In a statement signed by the Director-General of Public Health Maimoona Abubakur, HPA stated it introduced the guidelines to
ncentivise individuals to get vaccinated. HPA stated the guidelines will be implemented from September 1 onwards for unvaccinated individuals who are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines.
The guidelines are to be enforced at cafés, restaurants, gyms, salons, cinemas, public transport services, and domestic flights.
Public service employees, taxi drivers, waiters, gym employees, and office workers are also required to follow the guidelines. HPA stated the guidelines for unvaccinated individuals will be set by the relevant authorities.
Additionally, from September 1 onwards, unvaccinated individuals will also be required to undergo quarantine when travelling, and will only be allowed to enter the island if they receive a negative PCR test. Unvaccinated individuals will also be banned from entering schools in order to protect the health of students and allow them to continue their education without interruption.
The government has begun a nationwide programme to vaccinate 90% of the eligible Maldivian population by the end of August. Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) has stated 21% of the eligible population remains unvaccinated and 40% of vaccinated individuals have yet to receive the second dose.