Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has called for full compliance of home quarantine guidelines in islands in order to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Speaking at a press conference, Spokesperson of the HEOC Dr. Nazla Rafeeq revealed 535 people have been permitted since August 1 to travel to islands from Male' City and undergo home quarantine. However, the spokesperson said several individuals have been breaching the home quarantine guidelines by going out or meeting with other people.
Noting failure to comply with the home quarantine guidelines puts a lot of people in danger, Dr. Nazla urged the citizens to fulfill their individual responsibilities in order to control the spread of COVID-19. She also requested the public to report any violations of home quarantine guidelines to the HEOC.
Speaking further, Dr. Nazla noted crew and passengers of cargo boats travelling to islands also carry a risk of spreading COVID-19 in islands if they do not follow the guidelines set by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). She urged all crew and passengers travelling from the boats to take the required safety precautions and ensure full compliance to the guidelines.
HEOC has been undertaking efforts to increase the number of samples taken from individuals travelling from cargo boats in order to monitor the situation of the vessels travelling to islands.