Local Government Authority (LGA) has instructed stranded locals in islands to obtain a special permit via Maldives Police Service (MPS) to return back to Male' City.
Director-General of LGA Adam Shareef said many people have been stranded and affected due to the lockdown enforced in the Greater Male' region. Shareef said the administration has decided to issue return permits via MPS and discontinue quarantining people in the facilities established in the islands once they return home. He added the administration has made plans to quarantine people who travel between islands in transit quarantine facilities.
With COVID-19 expected to hit its peak towards the end of the month, individuals seeking to return to other islands from Male' will be required to complete a 14-day quarantine period in facilities set up by the administration. The decision was made to ensure COVID-19 does not spread to other islands from the capital city.
Following the decision, 1,000 beds have been assigned to quarantine people stranded in Male', with 500 to be quarantined in resorts and the other 500 in guesthouses in Hulhumale'. Individuals will be permitted to return to their islands after they test negative following the completion of the 14-day quarantine period.
LGA is also verifying the list of people who are seeking to return to their islands following the spread of COVID-19 in Male' City.