Health Protection Agency (HPA) has lifted the mandatory PCR testing for COVID-19 before departing from Male' City.
Director General Maimoona Aboobakuru has signed an announcement stating that PCR testing will not be required from 23rd onwards when travelling from Male' to other islands within the Maldives.
On January 10th, HPA had mandated that anyone leaving Male' city had to take a COVID-19 PCR test, when a large number of people from the atolls were in Male' city for the school holidays.
However, some people have not paid much attention to taking the test as the number of COVID-19 cases in the Maldives had decreased significantly. Although COVID testing was made mandatory, lately the authorities have not been overseeing whether or not people departing from Male' city to other islands had taken their PCR tests.
In addition to lifting the mandatory PCR restrictions while travelling from Male' to islands, two other measures taken by HPA in the Greater Male' Region due to the COVID-19 pandemic will come to an end from today. It lifts the restrictions on the number of people that can participate in gatherings, events and ceremonies at the same time.
HPA has also lifted the restriction stipulating that spectators are not allowed to enter in sports events. However, they urge the public to follow the guidelines set by HPA to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
According to HPA's policy, if the COVID-19 positivity rate rises above five percent, travel is restricted without a PCR test. According to the latest statistics released by HPA, the positivity rate in Male' city is now at 7 percent. However, the number of people testing for COVID and positive cases in Male' city has decreased.
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