Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) states the 14-day quarantine period required for individuals travelling to islands cannot be removed before COVID-19 positivity rate and independent cases decrease to a certain level.
Speaking at a press conference, Spokesperson of HEOC Dr. Fathimath Nazla Rafeeq said the main reason COVID-19 has been controlled in the atolls is the requirement for individuals travelling from Greater Male’ Region to undergo quarantine. She said permitting travel from islands or regions with a community spread without quarantine is highly risky.
Dr. Nazla further stated it is not yet clear when the quarantine requirement can be removed. She added the decision will be based on the COVID-19 positivity rate and the number of independent cases, which provides the best indication of the community spread situation.
Dr. Nazla further noted the positivity rate and independent cases are currently on a downward trend. As such, she noted positivity rate is currently between 2-4%, while independent cases are also gradually decreasing. She said the numbers will need to be maintained for a certain period of time to allow travel without quarantine.