Spokesperson of National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) Mohamed Mabrook Azeez has stated investigations against individuals who had violated regulations while in quarantine are underway.
Following a journalist's question about the photos circulating on social media that depicts quarantined individuals freely walking outside their facilities, Mabrook said such cases have been brought to the attention of NEOC, and it is currently considering measures that can be taken against such individuals. Mabrook further said NEOC is currently working to establish more stringent measures on the people quarantined in resorts. He said clear guidelines and instructions have been shared with the quarantined individuals on when they can move outside or go to the beach have also been shared.
The various quarantine facilities in Maldives currently accommodate 824 individuals, including Maldivians who have returned from overseas and people who have contacted an individual who had tested positive for the virus. All quarantine faculties in Maldives are resorts and individuals are kept in separate rooms unless there are requests to stay in shared accommodations due to considerable reasons.
Shared rooms are not provided for people in quarantine in order to mitigate the spread, as COVID-19 is highly infectious. Hence, all individuals arriving at Maldives have been put in quarantine facilities for a period of 14 days. The last person who tested positive for the virus was also a Maldivian who has been quarantined in Holiday Island Resort after his return to Maldives from the UK.
Mabrook also called on the people in quarantine facilities to adhere to the regulations and procedures set by authorities, and stay in isolation to contain the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing is key to prevent the virus from spreading and ensuring others do not get infected.