Health Protection Agency (HPA) has formulated a policy for residents of other islands stranded in Male' City to return home during the lockdown imposed in the Greater Male' Region.
The policy was formulated by the Director-General of Public Health Maimoona Abubakuru under clause 33 of the Public Health Emergency Act.
The policy dictates the following order of priorities, under 3 categories, in sending back stranded residents of other islands.
Category 1
a. Individuals stranded in Male' due to lockdown after travellng for medical purposes with sponsorship from National Social Protection Authority (NSPA).
b. Families with children under 5 years old who have travelled to Male' for medical purposes, individuals who have travelled to Male' to give birth and families of such individuals.
c. 65-year olds and above who have travelled to Male' for medical purposes, and their caretakers
d. People with specials needs who have travelled to Male' for medical purposes, and their caretakers
e. People with long-term medical problems who have travelled to Male', and their caretakers
Category 2
a. People who had purchased tickets to travel back between April 15 and April 20
b. Students and their families who have returned to the Maldives from abroad and completed their 14-day quarantine period
c. Resort staff who had travelled to the capital to return to islands after the resorts were closed.
Category 3
a. People who are stranded in Male' and after completing their jail terms
b. People who are seeking to return for other reasons such as loss of jobs
c. Guardians of children, aging parents, and children with special needs who have assigned temporary responsibilities to others
d. Women and elderly who have travelled to Male' for personal reasons
e. Families living in Male' who wish to return to islands due to economic regression caused by COVID-19
f. Families who have found employment in other islands due to loss of jobs in Male'
g. People with mental illnesses who have visited Male'
h. Others who have visited Male'
The policy requires all returning individuals to quarantine in a facility decided by the administration. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has instructed individuals who have not reported to the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services, Male' City Council, island councils or the Local Government Authority (LGA) to submit their requests as soon as possible.