Maldives Starts to Loosen COVID19 Restrictions

Thursday 21st of May 2020

Maldives Starts to Loosen COVID19 Restrictions

On 20th May, President Ibu Solih announced the Government’s plans for gradually easing the restrictive measures it has taken in response to the pandemic, which will occur in consultation with health authorities and will depend on the authorities’ confidence in the success of existing precautions. The country will begin easing lockdown on 28th May.

The President emphasized that they are to be implemented in the context of a ‘new normal’ phase, in which individuals must continue to observe social distancing measures and strictly adhere to the advice of health authorities. The easing of restrictive measures “does not mean we can go back to business as usual”.

While general businesses and schools will also be allowed to open once the lockdown expires on May 28th, public gatherings as well as businesses such as cafes and restaurants that attract crowds will have to remain shut until the second phase of reopening.

The President remarked that the virus had spread at a much slower rate than earlier statistical models had predicted. He noted that this has been the result of the Government implementing the recommendations of health experts, whom he praised for the many strides they have made in terms of treating the virus and tracing contacts.