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HPA inspects 39 offices as part of mass public health inspection

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has inspected 39 offices in the Greater Male’ Region, as part of the mass public health inspection carried out in the capital.

Speaking to PSM News, Director of HPA Ahmed Nasir said inspection of offices in the Male’ Region will be carried out until the end of next week. Noting 39 offices have undergone inspection so far, Nasir said HPA aims to complete the inspection of all government and private offices by next week. He added the inspection of offices will be followed by the inspection of transport services and industrial zones.

The director revealed the main areas of focus during the inspection includes measures to encourage handwashing and sanitization, as well as actions taken to ensure social distancing in service counters, meeting rooms and other areas which occupy large numbers of people. He added the inspection will also focus on the display of social distancing and handwashing messages, and the compliance of HPA guidelines in setting the maximum occupancy of lifts. He also noted the procedures used for disinfection will be inspected to ensure it complies with the HPA guidelines.

Nasir said the offices which have been inspected so far have generally met the HPA standards, although the awareness messages were not sufficiently displayed in some offices. He noted the inspection will be carried forward to the atolls once the inspection in Male’ Region is concluded, adding the HPA guidelines have been shared with the atolls in advance.

The mass public health inspection is carried out by HPA, in collaboration with Maldives Police Service (MPS), Male’ City Council and Housing Development Corporation (HDC). HPA began inspection of offices after concluding the inspection of cafes, restaurants, shops, salons and other similar establishments.