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All individuals under quarantine to be tested

National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has revealed all individuals who see through the quarantine period will be tested for COVID-19 before they are permitted to exit the facilities.

Speaking at a press conference held by NEOC, Dr. Ali Latheef from the Maldivian COVID-19 response team said Maldives has also been following a Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) set by international communities and the World Health Organisation (WHO), as the efforts to find a vaccine for the virus is underway. The doctor said SOPs have been revised and amended to adapt to local conditions and accommodate new developments. He said the decision to test the people before they are permitted to leave the facilities has come with revisions, suggestions and experiences.

Dr. Latheef added the decision was largely made to mitigate the risk of spreading the virus given that Maldives also sees a few positive cases. He said the quarantined individuals will be permitted to leave after testing following the 14-day quarantine period, adding the change has been effective since the decision to amend the SOP.