Education Ministry instructs COVID-19 safety measures for schools when they reopen

Education Ministry has instructed schools on the safety measures against COVID-19 that need to be in place when they reopen for the second term.

A circular signed by Education Minister Dr. Aishath Ali was forwarded to all educational institutes that are registered with the Ministry on Sunday.

As per the circular, students and school staff arriving from abroad will be required to undergo a PCR test within three to five days after their arrival to Maldives. Such students and staff will not be allowed inside school premises before the result of the PCR test is received.

In addition to this, if a student or a staff travels from an island that is under monitoring mechanisms to another island to attend school, they will also be required to undergo a PCR test within three to four days of their arrival to the island. Similarly, such students and staff will not be allowed inside school premises before the result of the PCR test is received.

The circular also reads that students and staff should wear masks at all times on school premises. Arrangements should also be there to wash hands with soaps. Eating in groups for both students and staff has also been barred.

The number of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 in the Male’ area has significantly increased over the past week – with over 100 cases being recorded daily.