President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has officially inaugurated the campaign "Covid Huhtuvaanee Aharen", which highlights individual responsibility in controlling the spread of COVID-19.
The president expressed this is a necessary and timely campaign, the success of which depends on the collective support of government institutions, NGOs, and individuals. Reiterating the frequent advice of the country’s Health Protection Agency (HPA) to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19, the president emphasised the importance of individuals not going outside their homes unless necessary, and to wear a mask when it is necessary to do so. He also reminded the public of the importance of washing their hands frequently, practising good personal hygiene, and listening to the health authorities.
Noting 29 individuals have passed away from the disease in the Maldives so far, President Solih remarked these losses affect their respective families and loved ones, as well as the entire country. He stressed greater personal diligence and precaution will be required to bring down the numbers and prevent further tragedy.
President Solih also spoke on the role of the media in preventing misinformation regarding the pandemic and presenting an accurate picture of the health-risk within the country to local and international audiences. He praised the local media for their proactive efforts to bring information and analysis to the public, remarking on the importance of an independent, thoughtful and ethical media, especially in light of the ongoing pandemic. He also appealed to all those who work in the media field to always convey accurate news that does not mislead or sensationalise.
President Solih also noted the media can play a vital role in reviving the country’s economically essential tourism industry, by emphasising the minimal health risk to tourists travelling. He highlighted this in light of several factors such as the country’s scattered atoll geography; the strict restrictions on inter-island travel; the lack of community spread of COVID-19 outside of Male’; and the tourism industry’s enforcement of stringent safety guidelines in the Maldives’ tourist resorts, all of which adhere to the ‘one island, one resort’ concept and do not directly interact with population centres. He stressed that it is especially important to highlight the safety-virtues of the Maldives to tourists as the country prepares to open guest-houses on 15 October.
Ending his remarks, President Solih prayed for a successful campaign against COVID-19 and for the elimination of the disease from the Maldives.