Evacuation of locals abroad halted for now

The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has stated that the repatriation of locals abroad would be halted for the time being as the capital of the country remains under lockdown following three confirmed cases of Covid-19.

The government had begun evacuating Maldivians abroad due to the pandemic situation across the world. As part of that process, national carrier Maldivian had made several trips to countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia, India, and Sri Lanka. Around 800 locals were brought back from these countries.

In a press conference today, government spokesperson Mabrouq Azeez stated that the flights scheduled for these two days would be temporarily stopped. A decision on the flights would be decided after the situation with the lockdown in Male’ City.

No further details regarding the matter was provided by Mabrouq.

The government has instructed that all locals repatriated to be placed in a mandatory quarantine period of 14-days. A total of 985 people are in quarantine facilities across the country. 31 people are also in isolation facilities. Mabrouq also informed that 95 people are to be released from such facilities today.

Maldivian has also suspended domestic travels following the lockdown.

The Maldives has so far confirmed 23, cases of the virus. Thirteen foreigners, as well as three locals, have made full recoveries from the virus.