The administration has announced medical teams from the US, the UK and Africa are scheduled to arrive in Maldives to assist the efforts to manage the outbreak of COVID-19.
Speaking at a press conference held by the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed announced the medical teams from the US, the UK and Africa are scheduled to arrive in Maldives on March 19. The minister said the teams will include doctors and nurses, adding their expenses will be covered by the Tourism Trust Fund. He said the teams will be active in treating the patients transferred to quarantine facilities in Maldives.
Meanwhile, a 14-member medical team has arrived from India to assist Maldives in the outbreak. The High Commission of India in Maldives revealed the team includes pulmonologists, anesthesiologists, physicians and laboratory technicians.
India has also granted visa exemptions for Maldivians travelling to the country, despite suspending on-arrival visas following the outbreak of COVID-19. Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the decision by the Indian government to grant visa exemptions to Maldivians was based on the close bilateral relations between the two countries.
In addition to India, the US has also provided assistance to Maldives amid the COVID-19 outbreak. In this regard, the US government has provided Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) with 400 coveralls, boots and gloves to assist in the efforts to manage the outbreak.