Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL) announced on Wednesday that all precautionary measures regarding the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) are in place.
The airports company assured that the screening processes and isolations facilities at Velana International Airport (VIA) are adequate to contain the disease.
The state has now established a special task force to tackle the coronavirus outbreak, with representatives from health facilities, Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), Maldives Police Service, MACL and State Trading Organisation (STO).
Following Wednesday's task force meeting, MACL's General Manager of Terminal Operations Ibrahim Hussain stated that the isolation facility at VIA has the capacity to accommodate 20 patients.
He further explained that necessary arrangements were in place to transfer any suspected cases to other health facilities, adding that the Health Protection Agency (HPA) had provided special ambulances, along with drivers, for transportation purposes.
"The isolation facility in Hulhule' is a transit facility. After conducting a preliminary test, passengers will be transferred to main stations", Ibrahim said.
Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen attended the task force meeting held on Wednesday and met with officials from the World Health Organisation (WHO), during which relevant authorities shared precautionary measures being taken amidst the viral outbreak.
The novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan City, China, has now infected about 6000 people and killed 132. In an attempt to control the virus from spreading further, China has placed 12 areas under quarantine, restricting approximately 60 million people.
In addition to China, the virus has been detected in various other countries including Malaysia, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates (UAE)—three countries frequently visited by Maldivians.
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