Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has stated guesthouses in the Greater Male’ Region were permitted to reopen as the COVID-19 positivity rate in the capital has been maintained under 5% since the end of September.
Speaking at a press conference, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed from the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) of HEOC said the daily number of COVID-19 cases detected in the Male’ Region has been low for the past few months. As such, Dr. Shaheed noted the positivity rate has been maintained between 1% and 3% for the past month, and has not crossed 5% since the end of September. He said the decision to allow guesthouses in the Male’ Region to reopen was based on the low positivity rate reported in the capital.
Dr. Shaheed further noted a special guideline has been introduced for guesthouses in the Male’ Region in order to resume operations. He said it is crucial that guesthouses comply with the guidelines to mitigate the risk of another wave of COVID-19 cases.
Dr. Shaheed called on the public to continue observing safety measures such as social distancing, wearing masks and maintaining personal hygiene. He also called on the public to avoid gathering in large groups.
Guesthouses in the Male’ Region have been permitted to reopen on December 14, two months after guesthouses in the atolls were permitted to reopen. HEOC acknowledged the strong compliance to safety standards by guesthouses in the atolls, which has helped to prevent community spreads in the atolls.