Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) established handwashing stations in different areas of capital Malé in an attempt to make hand washing more feasible to the public amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Frequent hand washing is an effective precautionary measure to protect oneself against the new strain of coronavirus, which spreads mainly through droplets in the air and on surfaces.
To encourage this habit, MWSC set up hand washing stations, with six washbasins in each, at the local market, fish market and Vilimale' Ferry Terminal. This project was carried out as part of the company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Similar hand washing stations have also been put up at public places on other islands as a preventive measure against the virus outbreak.
In addition to frequent hand washing, authorities advise everyone to cover their nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing.
Moreover, individuals are requested to stay away from gatherings and to wear masks in case of frequent sneezing and coughing in order to prevent the virus from spreading to others.
Maldives now has 13 confirmed and eight active cases of COVID-19. The country recorded its first two recoveries on March 20, and the third on March 21. Two more recoveries were reported on Monday.
No Maldivians have tested positive for the virus as of yet. So far, only tourists and resort employees have confirmed infections with no local transmissions.
The World Health Organization has classified the spread of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. The novel coronavirus has infected more than 381,400 and claimed over 16,500 lives around the world. However, out of those infected, more than 102,400 have recovered.
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