‘Maldives Is Winning the Fight against Covid-19’

Wednesday 1st of April 2020

‘Maldives Is Winning the Fight against Covid-19’

As of 1st April, the Maldives had a total 18 cases and 13 recoveries, bringing the number of active cases down to 5. Sources are saying that Maldives could be ‘winning the fight against coronavirus.’

According to Health Minister Abdula Ameen, Maldives began preparing for a possible COVID-19 outbreak early by conducting a risk assessment, and forming a national response guideline and health emergency coordination committee by late January.

By February, Maldives made arrangements with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to receive 1000 testing kits so that testing for the virus could be conducted locally. Meanwhile, the main airport was fitted with thermal cameras to screen incoming passengers.

After the country reported its first two cases on 7th March, the government took precautions including quarantining several resorts, closing parks and public spaces, disinfecting public transport, postponing the re-opening of schools, suspending political campaigns, halting tourist excursions, and banning guesthouses from checking-in foreigners in Greater Male.

Moreover, shortly after the World Health Organisation categorized COVID-19 as a pandemic, Maldives’ Minister of Heath Abdulla Ameen declared a 30-day state of emergency for the first time in the country’s history.