Health Protection Agency (HPA) has instructed expatriates working in Male’ City to quarantine themselves in a location specified by the authorities.
HPA said the spread of COVID-19 in Male’ City is most prominent among expatriate workers living in congested spaces. The agency said a decision has been made to quarantine expatriate workers in locations specified by the authorities, as they pose the highest risk of community transmission.
In this regard, HPA said expatriates living in places that are under monitoring, as well as expatriates who do not have a specific home or work address, will be quarantined in a specific location which will be instructed by HPA. In addition, HPA has instructed expatriates who do not fit into these categories but believe they are in a high-risk situation due to living or working conditions, to inform the agency and quarantine themselves in a specified location.
Meanwhile, the government has begun efforts to relocate between 3,000-4,000 expatriates to more spacious facilities developed in Gulhifalhu.
Over 68% of the COVID-19 cases in the Maldives are of foreigners, with over 53% made of expatriate workers from Bangladesh who have been living in congested spaces.