Stranded Travelers Allowed to Return to Islands

Sunday 3rd of May 2020

Stranded Travelers Allowed to Return to Islands

On 2nd May, National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) announced that residents of islands who are stranded in Capital City of Male’ due to the lockdown will be allowed to leave the capital. However, they will need to undergo 14-day quarantine upon return to their home islands before they are allowed to integrate into the community.

At the NEOC press briefing, spokesperson Mabrouq Azeez said that the government had established two methods of quarantine. Travelers who are returning to islands which have isolation or quarantine facilities will be quarantined there, while travelers who are returning to islands which do not have such facilities will be quarantined in resort facilities.

The lockdown and travel ban in the country, which was applied following the first case of local transmission, had resulted in hundreds of island residents stranded in Male’. On 27th April, Local Government Authority (LGA) had issued an announcement seeking information regarding stranded travelers. Some who applied for government assistance are being provided food and accommodation.