Health Protection Agency (HPA) has issued revised guidelines on travel between islands for essential services following a surge of COVID-19 cases in the Maldives.
As per the new guidelines, a travel permit must be obtained via the portal established by the government. The procedures dictated in the guidelines require individuals to complete home quarantine details on the form and permit will only be granted to individuals deemed necessary.
HPA states individuals who are returning to their islands after medical consultations and individuals returning to home islands after leaving their residences in Male' City will be permitted to leave, subject to the quarantine period. Additionally, individuals traveling to Male' City for official businesses and people who are returning following dismissals from jobs will also be permitted to travel. The permit will also be granted to individuals attending a court hearing in another island.
The revised guidelines also require individuals to mail relevant documents to respective island councils following which island councils will inspect the establishments for home quarantine of individuals upon their arrival in the islands. It further explain the HPA will verify the requests once the respective island councils approve home quarantine requests made via the portal.
The number of COVID-19 cases has surged over the past few weeks after the government eased restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. HPA has expressed worry that some individuals who have been permitted to stay in home quarantine at times do not adhere to the guidelines and visit families and friends without completing the quarantine period.