The government of the Maldives has declared a State of Public Health Emergency over the coronavirus pandemic. The State of Public Health Emergency took effect as soon as the announcement was made and will last up to 30 days- meaning it will end by April 12, suppose the situation of the Wuhan deadly virus betters and is controlled.
The declaration was made and initiated by Health Minister Abdulla Ameen under the discretionary powers he has through Section 33 of the 7/2010 Public Health Act. It is the government’s move to protect the country after the World Health Organization classified the current COVID 19 as a global pandemic.
State of Public Health Emergency
Because of the State of Public Health Emergency, schools and colleges postponed their classes for up to 2 weeks in the whole of the island nation. The government has also banned any public and mass gatherings. Public places such as parks are also closed until further notice.
The government sends automated text messages to everyone daily to give information about the progress of COVID 19 monitoring in the country.
Visits to local islands are resorts are also discouraged. Excursions such as safaris, sand banking, barbecue, fishing, and island tour are also prohibited.
The government has also issued advisory about frequent handwashing. They are also encouraging sick individuals to practice proper hygiene, stay home to rest, and to wear a mask when going out.
See the building of Villivaru here: Maldives builts luxury COVID 19 quarantine facility
Maldives COVID 19 cases
As of today, March 19, there are about 13 declared cases of COVID 19 in the Maldives according to local news sources. All of the cases are either expatriate workers in the resorts of tourists visiting the island nation.
The most recently confirmed case of COVID were two couples in a safari boat. Safaris are hotel-like boats that host 10 to 20 people and stay on the beach for days.
There are 18 people currently being quarantined in the historic Farukolhufushi island; 9 people are on another island, Villivaru, which is a place strictly for isolation, and two people are in the hospital.
Maldives Health Protection Agency said the 9th case was a foreigner in Anantara Dhigu Resort. The daily updates from HPA do not provide information if the infected person is a tourist or an employee.
According to HPA, 11 people have been in contact with the infected person and that these people have now been isolated.
Affected resorts in the Maldives include Anantara Dhigu, Kuredu Island Resort Sandies Bathala Resort, and Kuramathi Island Resort. All of the resorts are under the government’s close monitoring.
Because of the State of Public Health Emergency, many other local islands and resorts are being closely monitored by the government. These islands include inhabited island B. Fehendhoo and Olhuveli Beach Resort.
Another resort, Six Senses Laamu have also been placed under isolation after four people are suspected to be showing COVID 19 virus.
Other resorts that have possible cases of COVID and are monitored closely are Summer Island, Vilamendhoo Resort, Reethi Rah Island Resort, Iruveli Resort, and OBLU Sangeli Resort.
Farukolhufushi island and Villivaru
Villivaru was a hotel built by the Maldivian government within ten days after cases of COVID 19 were confirmed in the island nation. This luxury beach island can house 30 airconditioned rooms available for tourists who test positive of COVID 19.
The government said quarantine and care are free for the patients. Free room service meals are also served. A flat-screen TV and a fully stocked mini-bar are also available.
Villivaru is located in the city atoll of the Maldives or Kaafu Atoll.
Meanwhile, Farukolhufushi Island is a historical place. It is one of the oldest resorts in the Maldives. It was abandoned for a while before the government finally took over it.
Now it is being used as an isolation facility for those suspected COVID 19 cases.
Read more about Maldives News Here: Maldives Confirms COVID-19 Cases, Government Prepares for the Virus
See Farukolhufushi here: Farukolhufushi Island
