Ministry of Finance has revealed it has disbursed USD 10.8 million as COVID-19 frontline allowance. The latest data from the finance ministry shows USD 10.8 million was disbursed to 12,479 frontline workers as of July 11.
The government introduced the COVID-19 frontline allowance in May 2020 to incentivise frontline workers exposed to different levels of risk associated with the COVID-19 health protection efforts which include doctors, nurses, lab technicians, and any health worker that is required to be in direct contact with COVID-19 patients.
The frontline workers have been grouped into three risk categories, which determine the value of allowance paid out. High-risk workers are provided with a daily allowance of USD 33 if the nature of their work requires direct contact with COVID-19 patients. Medium risk workers are provided with a daily allowance of USD 16 if the nature of their work requires direct contact with COVID-19 patients. Low-risk workers are provided with a daily allowance of USD 13 upon logging in more than 6 hours of work at the Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) each day.
The government has begun lifting restrictions due to the low number of COVID-19 cases in the Maldives.