The Edition
facebook icon twitter icon instagram icon linkedin icon

Latest

COVID-19: Islands under monitoring increases to 17

Lamya Abdulla
04 August 2021, MVT 15:06
(FILE) A photo of Fuvahmulah taken in February, when a curfew was announced on the island: Fuvahmulah has been under curfew since May 6 -- Photo: Fuvahmulah Council
Lamya Abdulla
04 August 2021, MVT 15:06

Health Protection Agency (HPA) puts three additional administrative islands under monitoring to control the spread of COVID-19 on Tuesday. This increased the number of islands under monitoring to 17.

The islands put under monitoring on Tuesday are Alif Alif Himandhoo, Laamu Gan, and Laamu Fonadhoo.

Islands are put under monitoring when an active community spread is noticed. Travel into and out of islands under monitoring are prohibited, unless it is for an essential reason.

As of 6:30 in the evening on Tuesday, 17 islands have been put under monitoring by HPA. This is an increase compared to the previous week, where the total number of islands under monitoring was 13, as of July 26.

Maldives started its national vaccination program in February. Since then 325,060 people have received one dose of COVID, while 274,949 people have received two doses.

As over 50 percent of the eligible population have been fully vaccinated, the government eased the restrictions placed to control the spread of the coronavirus for Eid and school holidays. As this allowed for travel to islands without requiring mandatory quarantine, many people headed back home to their islands

Out of the islands under monitoring, Fuvahmulah has been in this status for the longest period; for nearly three months since the island was put under monitoring on May 6.

Raa Dhuvaafaru follows close behind, as HPA declared they started to monitor the island on May 25.

Share this story

Discuss

MORE ON NEWS