President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said the containment measures have taken a significant impact on the economy of the Maldives, highlighting the vulnerability of small island developing states (SIDS). The president made the remarks during a telephone conversation with the UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
President Solih and Foreign Secretary Raab briefed one another on how the coronavirus has impacted both countries, and the steps their respective governments are taking in order to address the crisis. The president remarked that while the Maldives successfully delayed community spread for over a month following the first reported positive case in the country on March 7, the rate of spread has accelerated in the capital city in the past ten days. He noted the detection of positive cases in the capital prompted the government, which is currently under a State of Public Health Emergency, to impose a full lockdown in the Greater Male’ Region and expand implementation of precautionary social distancing measures nationwide.
Whilst cases currently number over 200 in the Maldives, President Solih expressed confidence in the current measures implemented upon recommendation of health experts to contain the spread. Acknowledging the impact of COVID-19 on the UK, the president relayed his best wishes to Prime Minister Boris Johnson who is soon to resume his official duties. He also remarked on the excellent ties that have always marked the relationship between the UK and the Maldives and expressed his gratitude for the British government’s assistance in expediting the Maldives’ re-entry into the Commonwealth.
The Maldives and the UK continue to work together on many common issues of concern including climate change.