HPA allows travel to islands from Male’ area without PCR test result for next two days

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has announced that they will be allowing travel to islands from Male’ area in the upcoming two days without the result of a PCR test.

The announcement came after a large number of individuals queued at Social Center and Senahiya to have their samples taken – following HPA’s decision to mandate presenting a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior for outbound travelers from Male’ area.

HPA said that individuals traveling to islands from Male’ area in the next days will have two options; that is to take a sample and travel, but stay in quarantine until the results are received or do the test after arrival to the island – subject to remaining in quarantine till the results are received.

An announcement signed by Director-General of Public Health Maimoona Aboobakuru publicized this evening – read that outbound travelers from Male’ area will be mandated PCR testing.

In this regard, HPA said that if 14 days have passed since the second shot for individuals who are fully vaccinated traveling out of Male’ area – they will be required to present a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior.

They further detailed that those who are not fully vaccinated will be mandated to undergo a quarantine period of 14 days – after which they must undertake a PCR test.

Should the result of this PCR test be positive – they must remain in quarantine until full recovery.

HPA has advised taking strict safety measures in light of the rapid spread of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, across the world.