The Maldives government on Thursday relieved all pregnant civil servants of duty temporarily as precaution against the current swine flu epidemic in the Maldives.
In a circular, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) stated that as pregnant women are among those at highest risk of swine flu, the commission has decided to grant them leave from office until further notice.
Assuring that the employees will receive their salaries and allowances regardless, the circular directed all institutions under the CSC to grant leaves to their pregnant staff upon presentation of their pregnancy cards.
The commission also urged the staff to work from home if possible and aid their offices in cases of absolute necessity.
There are 13,705 female staff registered as civil servants.
The government has closed all schools, universities and suspended all school sports activities and the national football tournament amidst the flu epidemic spreading across the archipelago. There are 82 cases of people testing positive for swine flu as of Wednesday night while two people have died of the disease.
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