HPA warns of possible delays in results amid rise in COVID-19 testing

Health Protection Agency (HPA) warned on Wednesday of possible delays in delivering results of COVID-19 PCR tests amid a rise in testing among holiday travelers.

Maldives rolled our significant easements in travel restriction this July.

The easements allow fully vaccinated individuals to travel to islands that aren’t under monitoring with proof of a negative PCR test without being subject to mandatory quarantine. The ease applies to fully vaccinated individuals who received their second vaccine shot at least 14 days before the date of their departure.

Children who are ineligible for COVID-19 vaccination are also allowed to travel with proof of a negative PCR test without being subject to mandatory quarantine.

The easements, which come ahead of the Eid al-Adha holidays, has led to a surge domestic travel.

HPA said on Wednesday that given the increase in samples for PCR tests, it has therefore decided to prioritize processing samples of direct contacts and samples of individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19.