Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has expressed concerns over the lack of caution exhibited by the public despite the continued spread of the disease.
Speaking at the daily press briefing, Epidemiologist Dr. Ibrahim Afzal said the alarming situation of COVID-19 in the Maldives is not reflected by the activity seen on the streets of Male’ City. In this regard, he noted people have been gathering in large numbers without taking the necessary measures of social distancing. He said this is unacceptable given the large number of COVID-19 cases reported in the capital on a daily basis.
Dr. Afzal urged the public to pay heed to the advice and instructions given by health authorities to contain the spread of COVID-19. He added the authorities will be forced to impose strict measures if the outbreak cannot be controlled under the current circumstances.
Maldives has seen a second surge of COVID-19 cases after lockdown restrictions were eased in July. Health Protection Agency (HPA) imposed new movement restrictions in the Greater Male’ Region last month, banning vehicles from 2000hrs to 0500hrs and imposing a full curfew from 2200hrs to 0500hrs.