Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) revealed on Sunday that ground floor waste collection services will continue until August 1, despite the easing of lockdown measures.
Following a brief interruption in service due to the lockdown enacted in response to the first recorded case of COVID-19 in capital city Male', WAMCO recommenced service on April 16, with changes in their waste collection practice.
WAMCO instructed customers in Male', Hulhumale' and Vilimale' to leave all household waste at the ground floor of their residences between 1200 and 1400 hrs for collection. Customers were also requested to double-bag all waste with special attention to hygiene, and ensure that trash bags were only three-quarters full.
According to WAMCO, until August 1, waste collection services will continue as was practiced during the lockdown.
Waste from residences under monitoring will be collected as per guidelines set by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
Managing Director Adam Mohamed previously guaranteed that staff safety remained a key priority and that all workers would be provided necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).
Meanwhile, government on Monday lifted nationwide lockdown restrictions imposed over the COVID-19 pandemic, except in the capital city Male'. Inter-island travel may resume within the atolls, nearly two months after the nationwide travel ban announced on April 16. The bans on public gatherings and prayer congregations are also lifted from all islands outside of the capital.
Greater Male' Region, on lockdown since April 15, also commenced the second phase of easing lockdown measures on Monday, and allows movement without a permit for essential needs, business purposes and delivery services, as well as other necessities within limitations as stated by the HPA.
Maldives presently records a total of 2,065 confirmed cases of COVID-19, of which 515 are active cases. The country records 1,540 recoveries and eight deaths.
WHO has classified the spread of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. The new strain of novel coronavirus has infected over 8 million people and claimed over 437,176 lives around the world. However, out of those infected, 4.1 million people have recovered.
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