National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has extended the quarantine period of Maldivians who have returned from the Philippines and the UK.
Spokesperson of NEOC Mohamed Mabrook Azeez said the decision has been made after a Maldivian who returned from the Philippines staying in Eriyadhoo Quarantine Facility tested positive for COVID-19. Mabrook said all individuals in Eriyadhoo travelled to the Maldives from the Philippines and the UK in the same flight after transiting in Doha, Qatar. Hence, he said all individuals will be tested after completion of the mandatory 14-day quarantine period before they are permitted to be released.
Furthermore, the spokesperson said a Maldivian who was tested was understood to be positive for COVID-19 once his sample was collected before releasing him from the quarantine facility. He was fifth Maldivian to test positive for the coronavirus and had travelled from the Philippines on March 27 but had not shown any COVID-19 symptoms. Mabrook said should he had left the facility before testing, a community spread was inevitable and hence, the measures are proving to be efficient.