National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has advised Maldivians stranded overseas against travelling back to the Maldives unless a return is essential.
Spokesperson of NEOC Mohamed Mabrook Azeez said the country has no challenges spatially and economically, in keeping the returning Maldivians in quarantine facilities. Stating the government is trying to arrange as many resorts as possible as quarantine facilities, Mabrook revealed plans to use school halls as quarantine facilities in case of a surge in numbers.
Mabrook revealed over 8,000 Maldivians have registered to return home and the number is expected to be more than the people who have registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said even though the country can manage the facilities, the country will experience a shortage of medical professionals including doctors and nurses.
The government is currently working to evacuate all doctors who are abroad for specialisation. The spokesperson explained the difficulties the administration faces in evacuating medical students abroad to cater to the issue of the lack of medical professionals in the county. Mabrook detailed the administration intends to keep 45% for general health service providers, while the rest will be used in the fight against COVID-19. He added the administration intends only to evacuate enough Maldivians that can be accommodated in the existing facilities which are about 1,145 people at a time.
The spokesperson urged all Maldivians overseas to refrain from travelling and returning to the country unless necessary, and offer the chance of a return to someone who needs it more.