Parliamentarians question HPA’s decisions amid outbreak

Parliamentarians, on Monday, questioned some of the decisions taken by Heath Protection Agency (HPA) in response to the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

The questions were raised during a parliamentary debate on a motion which calls for the country to declare a coronavirus-free zone and reopen the country to promote economic activity to mitigate the economic impacts of coronavirus restrictions.

Taking part in the debate, North Maafanu MP Imthiyaz Fahmy said he remained unclear over the ‘formula’ used by HPA in making some of its decisions.

He said that some of the decisions were drawing complaints from the people.

“I believe what the people are saying have merit. For instance, why should delivery services at cafes and restaurants be limited to until 10 at night? What was the formula used to come to this decision?” asked Imthiyaz.

He said that the authorities should be easing restrictions and supporting businesses as much as possible in light of the financial challenges facing them.  

He said that Maldives’ economy, its businesses, and its people have no way of overcoming the crisis facing them unless the government focuses its policies towards granting all possible opportunities to revive businesses.

“This is the time to focus policies on granting them more opportunities,” said Imthiyaz.

He also questioned the reasoning behind the recent guidelines drafted by HPA which prohibits smoking, including the use of vapes, e-cigarettes and shishas in cafes and restaurants.

“I am unable to understand how this decision came to be. I think a solution to this can be reached in a manner which bolsters more confidence, a decision which is more widely supported can be reached, if these decisions are made following discussions with more businesses, with business owners, people who run small businesses,  small teashops,” said Imthiyaz.

He also called for greater cuts on import duty.

“It will be far more beneficial for this country if decisions were made by including as many people in the process as possible, by listening to the concerns of businesses,” he said.

North Machangolhi MP Mohamed Rasheed also questioned some of HPA’s decisions.

He said that the Maldivian people will need to be under treatment in intensive care units if it were left up to the Health Ministry and HPA to make all decisions.

“If the Health Ministry and HPA were to govern this country, then, economically speaking, if things are run as a business, the Maldivian people will be in ICUs. That is, they will fall sick and need to be put in ICUs after they go bankrupt, after they are broken and helpless, after they run out of options to earn a livelihood,” he said.

Mohamed Rasheed said he does not support the prohibition of smoking at cafes and restaurants under the “new normal”.

He questioned whether it was better for people to smoke in designated areas in cafes and restaurants or to smoke out in the streets.

“I wonder, should they go out to the streets to smoke? I wonder if they should take their coffees and stand in the streets to smoke when families are out in the streets with children. That too, must not be the best of habits,” said Mohamed Rasheed.

He said that the people must understand the logic behind HPA’s decisions, and that decisions must be made following wider discussions.

He said that the small businesses and the common people faced the “new normal” with empty pockets and on the verge of bankruptcy.